The Yin Clan#

Clan Name: Yin (Yìn) Pronunciation: yìn

Distribution of the Yin Clan#

1. Fengyi Commandery as the Clan's Origin: Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established “Zuo Fengyi” as one of the three important regions of China. During the Three Kingdoms period, it was renamed Fengyi Commandery, with its administrative center located in present-day Dali County, Shanxi Province.
2. Hall Name: “Yuwu Hall” (Hall of Defending Against Aggression): In the Song Dynasty, Yin Yingfei served as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Governor of Zhenjiang. When the Yuan army besieged the city, Yin Yingfei led troops to the rescue, and the siege was lifted. This event inspired the name of the hall, which signifies the clan's ability to resist external threats.

Origin of the Yin Clan#

The Yin surname has a pure lineage, tracing back to the Ji (Ji) clan. One branch of the Ji clan adopted the ancestral name as their surname. In 806 BCE, King Xuan of Zhou granted his younger brother, You, the state of Zheng and the title of Marquis. One of You's sons, Ji Gun (pronounced Gǔn), was named Ziyin. His descendants used the ancestral name as their surname, forming the Yin clan. A notable ancestor of the Yin clan is the Yellow Emperor.

The Founding Ancestor of the Yin Clan:
Yin Duan was the first person in recorded history to bear the surname Yin. According to historical documents, Yin Duan was a high-ranking official of the state of Zheng over 2600 years ago. This ancestor is also mentioned in the ancient text “Zuo’s Spring and Autumn Annals.” Zheng was located in the central part of present-day Henan Province, south of the Yellow River. After Zheng was conquered by the newly risen state of Han during the Warring States period, the Yin clan continued to thrive in the Fengyi area of Shaanxi. From there, they spread throughout China, making the Yin surname common across the country. The ancestral home of the Yin clan is still in Fengyi Commandery (present-day Dali County, Shaanxi Province).

Distribution of the Yin Clan:
The Yin surname does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It originates from the Ji clan. During the Zhou Dynasty, the state of Zheng was ruled by Duke Mu of Zheng, whose son, Ziyin, had descendants who adopted the surname Yin. This lineage can be traced back to the royal family of the Zhou Dynasty and even the Yellow Emperor.

Notable Figures of the Yin Clan:

• Yin Yingfei: A minister of the Song Dynasty who effectively defended his hometown from foreign aggression.
• Yin Tingbao: A painter from the Qing Dynasty known for his landscapes and portraits, especially his depictions of donkeys.
• Yin Guangren: A poet from the Qing Dynasty who gained fame for his writings.

Common Couplets for the Yin Clan Ancestral Hall:

1. Fengyi as the Clan's Origin; Zheng as the Heritage: This couplet emphasizes the clan's roots in Fengyi Commandery and its connection to the state of Zheng.
2. A wise minister who protects his family; a perspicacious official who identifies talent: This couplet honors the clan's historical figures who served with integrity and wisdom.
3. The legacy of Fengyi; the reputation of the Ji clan: This couplet reflects the clan's historical significance and its connection to the royal family of the Zhou Dynasty.

The Yin clan has a rich history and a widespread presence in China, with its members playing significant roles in various periods of Chinese history.