The Wan Si Clan#

Clan Name: Wan Si, pronounced as mò qí

Distribution of the Wan Si Clan#

• Lanling County: During the Jin Dynasty, this area was separated from Donghai County to form a new administrative division. It corresponds to the present-day regions of Zaozhuang and southeastern Teng County in Shandong Province.
• Kaifeng: In the Warring States period, it belonged to the State of Wei and became a county during the Han Dynasty. It corresponds to the present-day city of Kaifeng in Henan Province.

Origin of the Wan Si Clan#

The origin of the Wan Si clan is straightforward. One theory suggests that it stems from the Xianbei tribe, specifically the Tuoba clan. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Tuoba clan consisted of ten prominent noble families, and the Wan Si family was one of them. The name “Wan Si” originally referred to a tribal name of the Xianbei people. The Northern Wei Dynasty was established by Emperor Daowu of the Tuoba clan. Emperor Daowu, a descendant of a Xianbei ruler, grew up during times of war. Upon reaching adulthood, he promptly gathered his father's former followers, established his own kingdom, and expanded his power. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Wan Si tribe moved into the Central Plains along with the Tuoba clan, and later adopted this tribal name as their surname.

The first person to use the surname “Wan Si” was Wan Si Chounu, who was from Gaoping, Shanxi. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Wan Si tribe followed the Tuoba clan into the Central Plains, and the members of this tribe adopted the name as their surname.

Migration and Spread#

The Wan Si clan is not among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. Records about the origin of the Wan Si surname can be found in the “Wei Shu: Guan Shi Zhi” (Book of Wei: Records of Official Clans) and the “Shang You Lu” (Record of Noble Friends). The former text mentions that the Wan Si clan descended from Emperor Xianwen of the Later Wei Dynasty, while the latter text identifies them as one of the ten noble families that emerged during the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties when various ethnic groups invaded China. This indicates that the Wan Si surname has a history of only about 1,700 years.

The Wan Si clan’s noble origin is reflected in their use of the name, which is a honor derived from their Xianbei heritage. The Northern Wei Dynasty was founded by Emperor Daowu, a descendant of a Xianbei ruler who developed exceptional abilities through life experiences of war. He effectively utilized his resources to establish his own kingdom and promoted agricultural prosperity through beneficial policies. He also valued Han culture, which contributed to the flourishing of the Northern Wei Dynasty’s politics, economy, and culture. After six rulers from the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Xianwen of the Later Wei Dynasty inherited the throne, and a descendant of his third brother became the ancestor of the Wan Si clan.

The Wan Si clan’s ancestral home was Lanling County (now Gaoping, Shanxi Province). Another notable member of the clan was Wan Si Chounu, who lived in Kaifeng (now Henan Province) during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, a ruler named Wan Si Hong (son of Wan Si Chounu) played a significant role in the clan’s development.

Common Hall Names for the Wan Si Clan:

• Jian Chang Tang (Hall of Jianchang): During the Northern Qi Dynasty, there was a man named Wan Si Luo who was known for his generosity and integrity, as well as his bravery. He was honored with the title of Duke of Jianchang County for his outstanding military achievements.
• Lan Ling Tang (Hall of Lanling): Another common hall name for the Wan Si clan.

Common Couplets for Wan Si Clan Ancestral Halls:

• Four-character couplets:

  • “Majestic in bravery; elegantly refined.” (This couplet praises the brave and refined qualities of the Wan Si clan.)
  • “Kaifeng’s legacy; the fame of the Jianchang family.” (This couplet highlights the clan’s roots in Kaifeng and its historical significance.)

• Six-character couplets:

  • “Upright integrity reflects the governance of Huzhou; generosity embodies the spirit of the chancellor.” (This couplet emphasizes the clan’s integrity and leadership.)
  • “Clear principles reflect the governance of Huzhou; generosity showcases the chancellor’s character.” (This couplet similarly celebrates the clan’s values.)

These couplets celebrate the historical and cultural contributions of the Wan Si clan.