The Si Clan#

Surname: Si, pronounced as "sī"

Distribution of the Si Clan#

The Si clan originated from the Dunchiu Commandery, which was established during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty. This region corresponds to the area around present-day Xun County, Henan Province.

Origins of the Si Clan#

There are six main origins for the Si surname:

1. During the time of Shennong, an ancient tribal leader, there was a minister named Silai who specialized in divination. His descendants adopted the surname Si, as recorded in "Yuanming Bao."
2. Some clans took their ancestral titles as their surnames. For example, during the Spring and Autumn period, there was a minister from the state of Zheng named Sicheng, and his descendants adopted his title as their surname.
3. Others took the names of famous individuals as their surnames. According to "Tongzhi·Shizu Lue," during the Spring and Autumn period, there was a minister from the state of Jin named Shuhu who was granted a fiefdom and established the state of Qi. One of his officials, Sichen, also adopted the Si surname.
4. Some surnames were derived from official titles. For instance, during the Spring and Autumn period, there was a man from the state of Cheng named Chengbo who served as a military officer (Sima) for the Zhou royal family. His descendants adopted this official title as their surname.
5. Some surnames resulted from the simplification of compound surnames. For example, historical compound surnames such as Sidé, Sikōng, Sīgōng, Sitú, and Sīchéng were simplified to Si.
6. Some surnames evolved from multiple sources, such as the combination of different titles or personal names.

Clan Halls#

Huaizhou Hall: During the Song Dynasty, a man named Sichao from Shuzhou served as a military commander and achieved many military successes in regions such as Caizhou, Jiangzhou, Zhengzhou, and Qizhou. Since these areas were located to the right of the Huai River, he was well-versed in the local terrain, which contributed to his numerous victories in battle.

Ancestor of the Clan The ancestor of the Si clan is often considered Yu Shun. The position of "Sīxǐ" (military governor) was an ancient official title that originated over 4,000 years ago during the Tang and Yu dynasties, responsible for managing the people and land education. This title has had various names throughout history; for example, during the Qing Dynasty, it was known as "Hùbù Shangshū" (Minister of Revenue). According to historical records, Yu Shun served as a military governor during the Yao dynasty, and some of his descendants adopted this title as their surname. The Si clan's prestigious lineage can be traced back to Zhaojun (the area around present-day Zhao County, Hebei Province).

Migration and Distribution The Si surname does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. There are different theories about its origin, but all agree that it comes from official titles. The "Zuo Zhuan" mentions a minister named Sicheng from the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period, and the "Tongzhi·Shizu Lue" states that the Si clan descended from Sichen from the state of Zheng, with their prestigious lineage originating from Dunchiu. The "Shiben" also mentions a descendant of Duke Ling of Wei named Gongzi Ying who served as a judicial officer (Sikou) for the Zhou royal family and adopted this title as his surname.

Common Couplets for the Si Clan Ancestral Hall Four-character couplets:

• "The clan name originates from Sima; its prestige comes from Dunchiu." This couplet refers to the origins and historical significance of the Si clan.
• "Military achievements rank first; integrity and honesty are highly valued." This couplet honors the military achievements of Sichao from the Northern Song Dynasty and the integrity of Si Xiang from the Yuan Dynasty.
• "Both brothers were renowned for their talents; their writings and integrity were unmatched." This couplet acknowledges the achievements of Si Chao and Si Xiang.

These couplets reflect the historical and cultural significance of the Si clan, highlighting its military achievements, integrity, and the contributions of its members throughout Chinese history.