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lìSeptember 28, 2025

厉姓

The Li surname, with origins in posthumous titles, fiefdoms, and surname changes, is historically linked to regions like Fanyang and Nanyang. Notable figures include Li E and Li Zhi, and various family branches across China maintain distinct generational titles.

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The Li Family

The surname is Li, pronounced as lì.

Distribution of the Li Family

  • Fanyang Commandery: In the seventh year of Huangchu during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Wei dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period (226 AD), Zhuo Commandery was renamed Fanyang Commandery, covering the areas of present-day Zhuoxian County in Hebei Province, as well as Changping County and Fangshan County in Beijing.
  • Nanyang Commandery: Established during the Qin dynasty, it continued under the Han dynasty, with its administrative center in Wan, governing thirty-six counties. Due to its special political status during the Eastern Han period, it became a major economic and cultural center.

Origins of the Li Family

The Li surname has the following origins:

  1. Derived from posthumous titles: During the Western Zhou dynasty, when King Xuan of Zhou, Ji Jing, was in power, Jiang Wuji, the ruler of the state of Qi, died and was given the posthumous title "Li" (meaning "stern" or "resolute"). His direct and collateral descendants adopted this title as their surname.
  2. From the name of a fiefdom: In the Zhou dynasty, there was a vassal state called Li (located in present-day Suixian County, Hebei Province). During the Spring and Autumn period, this state was renamed Sui. Descendants of the former ruler of Li adopted the name of the state as their surname.
  3. Change from another surname: During the Three Kingdoms period, Sun Hao, the emperor of the Wu dynasty, changed the surname of a member of his royal family, Sun Xiu (who had defected to the Wei dynasty due to Sun Hao's displeasure), to Li. Some of Sun Xiu's descendants who remained in the Jiangdong region continued using the Li surname.
  4. Change from the Li surname to another surname: Before Li Longji became emperor of the Tang dynasty, a member of the Tang royal family, Li Jin, plotted a rebellion with Princess Taiping but was executed. After Li Longji took power, he changed the Li Jin family's surname to another one, preventing them from reinstating their original surname.

Population Distribution

The Li surname does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. According to "Fengsu Tong," during the Zhou dynasty, the descendants of Qi Li Gong adopted his posthumous title as their surname. Since the Spring and Autumn period (starting from the first year of Gonghe, 841 BC), the 12 vassal states each maintained their own territories while still recognizing the Zhou dynasty. Among them, Li Gong ruled from 824 to 816 BC. His descendants preserved his posthumous title as their surname, thus forming the Li lineage. Qi Li Gong is revered as the ancestor of the Li family. Notable individuals with the Li surname include Li Wencai, who served as the governor of Daozhou during the Tang dynasty and brought about significant reforms; and Li Gong, a poet from the Qing dynasty who played a significant role in promoting literature throughout China for over 20 years.

Famous People with the Li Surname

  • Li E (1692–1752): Also known by the names Taihong and Xiongfei, and self-styled Hua Yin, he was from Qiantang, Zhejiang (now Hangzhou), originally from Cixi. Orphaned and impoverished in childhood, he later became a hermit. Talented in poetry, his works impressed his elders. During the Kangxi period, he failed to become an official despite passing the local exams and later refused a position as an invader. In the early Qing dynasty, he compiled "Liao Shi Shi Yi" (Supplements to the History of the Liao Dynasty) by compiling historical records from various sources.
  • Li Zhi (1804–1861): Known by various names, including Baishan Huaren and Jingyang Shi, he was a scholar skilled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. He suffered from eye diseases in his later years but continued to improve his artistic skills. His works, including "Baihua Shan Fang Ji" (Collected Works of Baishan Huaren), have been published.

Family Branches and Generational Titles

Different branches of the Li family have their own generational titles, such as:

  • Hubei Danjiang Li: "Da Cheng Ming Kai Guo Ying Xuan"
  • Hubei Xiaochang Li: "Da Xue Ming De Sheng Ze Tian Chang"
  • Jiangsu Yizheng Li: "Jing Wen Shi Jin Ting Zhao Chao Chang Jie Guan Qing Cun Ding Yi De Yan Zong Chuan Jia You"
  • Shandong Rizhao Li: "Bao Fu Jian Yan Cheng Zong Mao Shan Cun Gong Huai Xiu Jia Zhen Nai Chuan Duan Ming Xuan Jin Xi Ce Qi Xin Yu Fu Yan Qing Xu Ze Ying Shen"
  • Zhejiang Leqing Li: "Lian Qing Jing Hong Qi Jia Xing Ru Ri Yue Ri"
  • Henan Nanyang Li: "Yong Wen Cheng Bing Zhi Xiang San Xing Zhong Yi Guan Jing"
  • Henan Xinyang Li: "Jin You Fu Guo Xin Ming Quan Qi Zi Cheng (Ze Hong Wan Dai Quan)"
  • Henan Tongxu Li: "Zong Liang Xin Wen, Bu Xue Cong Zu Xing, Li Zi Cun Guang Da, Wan Shi Qin Fang Ming, Chuan Ji Si Xian De, Pi Cheng Yang Jia Sheng"
  • Shandong Juxian Li: "Hong Qi Ji Yun Chang, De Cheng Fu Lu Zhang"

Famous People with the Li Surname

  • Li E: A military officer during the Song dynasty who invented the "Jiuniu Nu" (a battle chariot equipped with archery mechanisms), which was highly effective in combat and