The Bie Surname#

Surname: Bie, pronounced as “bié”

Distribution of the Bie Surname#

According to the “Xing Yuan” (A Garden of Surnames), the Bie clan originated from Jingzhao and its prominence can be traced back to the regions of Tianshui and Jingzhao.

• Jingzhao Commandery: This was the direct jurisdiction of the capital. Jingzhao was established during the first year of the Taichu era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, covering the area east of present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, to Huyin County.
• Tianshui Commandery: Established during the Western Han Dynasty, it corresponded to the regions of Tianshui and Longxi in present-day Gansu Province.
• Chang’an Commandery: Established during the Tang Dynasty, with its administrative center located in the northwest of present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.

Origin of the Bie Surname#

The origin of the Bie surname is as follows: According to the “Cihai” (Dictionary of Terms), “Biezi” referred to sons of a lord who were not the eldest legitimate son. For example, in Zeng Gong’s “Gonghou Yi” (Discourses on Lords and Dukes), it is mentioned that the eldest legitimate son of an emperor would inherit the throne, while the other sons would become lords. The sons of lords, in turn, would become officials in their respective states. In ancient feudal society, sons born after the eldest legitimate son were considered of a lower lineage and were therefore given a different surname. As a result, they took their grandfather’s title, position, fief, title, or posthumous name as their own surname. Some also used their status within the feudal hierarchy as their surname, leading to the formation of the Bie surname.

Ancestor of the Surname:
The ancestor of the Bie surname is Bie Chengzi. According to “Xing Shi Xun Yuan” (Tracing the Origins of Surnames), the Bie surname descended from Bie Chengzi. In ancient times, the eldest son of a lord was considered the legitimate heir, and the sons born after him were of a lower lineage and thus given a separate surname. This practice led to the establishment of the Bie surname.

Migration and Distribution:
The Bie surname is not among the top 100 surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. Ancient records mention a person named Bie Chengzi, who is considered the earliest ancestor of this surname. His descendants have passed down the Bie surname through generations. The Bie lineage in Hubei is believed to be one of the earliest branches to migrate out of Jingzhao, likely before the Southern Song Dynasty. The ancestral clan of the Bie surname in Hubei is traced back to Bie Zhijie, as recorded in the “Bie Shi Zong Pu” (Genealogy of the Bie Clan) from Mianyang. However, it is still debated whether Bie Zhijie was indeed the initial ancestor of the Hubei branch of the Bie surname.

Clan Halls and Traditions:
The main hall of the Bie clan is called “Jingzhao Hall.”

Common Couplets for the Bie Clan Hall:

• Four-character couplet: “The surname originates from Biezi; its prominence comes from Chang’an.” (This couplet refers to the family’s origins in Jingzhao and Chang’an.)
• Six-character couplet: “A loyal general in the Tang Dynasty; a minister who protected the country in the Song Dynasty.”
• Seven-character couplet: “Appointed as a military commander to suppress rebellions; served as a minister to uphold justice.”

These couplets highlight the historical significance of the Bie clan, both in military and political roles throughout Chinese history.