Eastern Surnames#

Surname: Dongfang, pronounced as dōng fāng

Distribution of the Dongfang Surname#

Pingyuan County: Pingyuan County was established during the Han Dynasty; its administrative center was located in Pingyuan, now in the southwest of Pingyuan County, Shandong Province. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Dezhou was also used as the name for Pingyuan County, with its administration centered in Ande, which is today's Ling County, Shandong. The jurisdiction of Pingyuan County varied between these periods.

Origins of the Dongfang Surname#

The Dongfang surname has two possible origins:

1. In ancient times, Fuxi created the Eight Trigrams, which placed the east in a prestigious position. Fuxi was also known as Shennong, and his people were farmers. The rising sun in the east marked the beginning of the farming season, leading some of Fuxi's descendants to adopt the surname Dongfang.

2. The surname also originates from the Zhang family, specifically from Dongfang Shuo, a figure from the Han Dynasty. Dongfang Shuo's father, Zhang Yi, died before he was born, and his mother, Lady Tian, passed away three days after his birth. Dongfang Shuo was raised by his elder brother and sister-in-law. Since he was born at dawn, he was named Dongfang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo held the position of Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat and was known for his humorous and witty nature, yet he was also able to discern the truth and offer straightforward advice. His descendants also adopted the surname Dongfang, thus forming another branch of the family.

Ancestral Figure of the Dongfang Surname

Dongfang Shuo is considered the progenitor of the Dongfang surname. According to the "Fengsu Tong," Fuxi was associated with the "Zhen" trigram, which symbolizes the east, and his descendants thus took the surname Dongfang. However, detailed records about his ancestors are no longer available. The earliest known bearer of the Dongfang surname from the Western Han Dynasty was Dongfang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo's father, Zhang Yi, died before his birth, and his mother died three days after his birth; he was raised by his brother and sister-in-law. He was named Dongfang Shuo because he was born at dawn. Dongfang Shuo was known for his humor and wit. When Emperor Wu of Han called for talented individuals, Dongfang Shuo submitted a letter recommending himself, which caught the emperor's attention, and he was summoned to the palace for an interview. Dongfang Shuo's witty remarks and unconventional behavior made a lasting impression on the emperor. One incident involved him taking a piece of meat from the palace without waiting for an official order; despite being punished, the emperor commended him and granted him more food and wine to take home to his wife.

Migration and Distribution

The Dongfang surname is not among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It is an ancient surname with roots dating back to ancient times when Fuxi created the Eight Trigrams. Dongfang Shuo, a famous writer from the Han Dynasty, is considered the ancestor of the Dongfang surname. Many notable individuals with the Dongfang surname have emerged throughout history, including Dongfang Qiu and Dongfang Xian.

Tanghou (Family Hall Name):

The "Si He Tang" (Four Hoes Hall) is a nickname for the Dongfang family, derived from an incident where Dongfang Shuo, being humorous and skilled in prose, took a piece of meat from the palace without waiting for an order. The emperor, amused by his boldness, granted him more food and praised his integrity.

Notable Personalities with the Dongfang Surname

• Dongfang Shuo: Born in 154 BCE and died in 93 BCE, Dongfang Shuo was from Pingyuan Yanci (now in Hui Min, Shandong Province). He was a witty and talented writer who served as an imperial official during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han.
• Dongfang Qiu: A famous historian and poet from the Tang Dynasty.
• Dongfang Xian: A literary figure and one of the Eighteen Scholars of the Kaiyuan era.

The Dongfang surname has a long history and has played a significant role in Chinese culture.