The Si Kou Clan#

Surname: Si Kou, pronounced as sī kòu

Distribution of the Si Kou Clan#

Dunqiu County: Dunqiu County was established in the early Han Dynasty, with its jurisdiction covering the area southwest of present-day Qingfeng, Henan Province. Pingchang County: This corresponds to Dunqiu County. According to the "Song Shu·Zhou Jun Zhi," "Dunqiu belonged to Dongjun during the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, and to Yangping during the Wei Dynasty. In the second year of Emperor Wu of Jin's Taishi era (Bingxu, 266 AD), Dunqiu County was created from Huaiyang." Its jurisdiction included the area of present-day Qingfeng County, Henan Province. Fengyi County: This county was established during the Qin Dynasty. In the first year of Emperor Wu of Han's Taichu era (Dingchou, 104 BC), the administrative region of Zuo Fengyi was set up, which, along with You Fufeng and Jingzhao Yi, was known as the "Three Auxiliaries of the Capital." Its jurisdiction covered the area around present-day Dali County, Shaanxi Province. Henan County: Originally named Sanchuan County during the Qin Dynasty, it was renamed Henan County in the second year of Emperor Gaozu of Han's reign (Bingshen, 205 BC). The administrative center was in Luoyang (present-day Luoyang, Henan). Its jurisdiction included the lower reaches of the Luo and Yi rivers, the upper reaches of the Shuangji and Jialu rivers, and the area around present-day Yuanyang County in northern Henan, comprising twenty-two counties, roughly corresponding to the regions of present-day Mengjin, Yanshi, Gongyi, Xingyang, Yuanyang, Zhongmu, Zhengzhou, Xinzheng, Xinmi, Linru, Ruyang, Yichuan, and Luoyang in Henan Province.

Origins of the Si Kou Surname#

The Si Kou surname has the following origins:

1. Derived from the Ji surname, stemming from the official title of Su Fensheng, a monarch of the State of Su during the Western Zhou Dynasty, and reflecting the practice of using an official title as a surname.
2. Derived from the Ji surname, originating from Gongsun Lan, the Grand Minister of Justice of the State of Wei during the Spring and Autumn Period, reflecting the use of an ancestral official title as a surname.
3. Derived from the official positions related to public safety and judicial affairs during the Xia and Shang Dynasties, reflecting the use of official titles as a surname.
4. Derived from the Zi surname, originating from Ziniu Fu, the Grand Minister of Justice of the State of Song during the Spring and Autumn Period, reflecting the use of an ancestral official title as a surname.

Founding Patriarchs of the Si Kou Surname: Su Fensheng, Gongsun Lan, and Sikou Hai. The title "Sikou" refers to an official in charge of judicial affairs and inspections. According to the historical record "Tongzhi·Shi Zú Lüe," the Si Kou clan descended from Gongzi Ying, a son of Prince Ling of Wei. The descendants of Ying adopted the official title as their surname. The Si Kou clan originated in the State of Wei during the Spring and Autumn Period. When King Wu of Zhou appointed Su Fensheng as Sikou, his descendants took the title as their surname. The Si Kou surname has a history of over 2,500 years. They spread in regions such as northern Henan and Hebei. Therefore, Su Fensheng is revered as the founding patriarch of the Si Kou clan.

Migration and Distribution: The total number of people with the Si Kou surname does not rank among the top 100 in the mainland China or Taiwan Province's list of common surnames. However, it ranks 441st in the Song Dynasty version of the "Hundred Surnames" and 33rd among multiple surnames. The Si Kou and Sikong surnames both originated from official titles. These positions existed during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties, responsible for public safety, inspections, and judicial affairs. During the Zhou Dynasty, this position was also known as "Qiuguan Dasi Kou" and was one of the six high-ranking officials. King Wu of Zhou appointed Su Fensheng as Sikou, and his descendants adopted the title as their surname. Another branch of the Si Kou clan originated in the State of Lu. Many royal families and nobles from the Western Zhou Dynasty were from the State of Lu, so it is possible that the Si Kou surname also originated there; for example, Sikou Huizi could be a descendant of Su Fensheng. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Dunqiu County was renamed Pingchang County, with its administrative center in Dunqiu. The Si Kou clan was primarily active in the Central Plains and spread in Henan and Hebei, forming a prominent clan there, with Pingchang County as their ancestral base. Later, many Si Kou descendants simplified their surname to Si or Kou, further reducing the number of direct descendants. Today, members of the Si Kou clan can be found in Beijing, Shanghai, Liaoning, and Henan.

Clan Halls:

• Dunqiu Hall: Established based on their ancestral base in Dunqiu.
• Pingchang Hall: Also established based on their ancestral base in Pingchang.
• Fengxu Hall: Established based on their ancestral base.
• Henan Hall: Established based on their ancestral base in Henan.

Notable People with the Si Kou Surname:

• Sikou Huizi: According to the "Book of Rites," Sikou Huizi was a prominent official in the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period.
• Sikou Bu: (Birth and death years unknown), a famous official from the Zhou royal family during the Warring States Period.
• Sikou Xun: (Birth and death years unknown); later simplified to Kou Xun, with the courtesy name Ziyi, from Changping, Shanggu (present-day Changping, Beijing). He was a renowned general in the Eastern Han Dynasty and one of the "Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai."