The Rǎngsì Clan#

Clan Name: Rǎngsì, pronounced as “rǎng sì”

Geographic Distribution of the Rǎngsì Clan#

• Tianshui Commandery: Also known as Shangqi Commandery. It was established in the third year of the Yuanding era of the Western Han Dynasty (441 BCE). Its administrative center was located in Pingxiang (present-day Tongwei, Gansu). At that time, its jurisdiction covered areas including present-day Tongwei, Qin’an, Dingxi, Qingshui, Zhuanglang, Gangu counties in Gansu Province, as well as the northwestern part of Tianshui City, the eastern part of Longxi, and the northeastern part of Yuzhong.
• Qin Commandery: Established during the Jin Dynasty, initially with its administrative center in Jixian (present-day Gangu, Gansu), later moved to Shangqi (present-day Tianshui, Gansu). During the Republic of China period, it was renamed Duzhou, with the administrative center in Tianshui County.

Origin of the Rǎngsì Clan#

The Rǎngsì clan originated from the Ying surname and descended from Rǎngsì Chi, a nobleman from the Qin state during the Spring and Autumn period. This naming tradition follows the custom of using the name of a prominent ancestor as the clan name.

In the late Spring and Autumn period, there was a man named Rǎngsì Chi from the Qin state, whose courtesy name was Zitú. He is mentioned in the “Confucius Family Sayings” as “Zicong.” The Qin state was located in the region encompassing present-day Lixian (northeast of Gansu Province), Zhangjiachuan, Baoji, and Fengxiang (southeast of Gansu Province) in Shaanxi Province. Although the Qin state was militarily powerful, its level of civilization was relatively low, and it was still in the early stages of a tribal-based slave society. Few people in the state pursued knowledge and culture. Rǎngsì Chi was an exception; he traveled from the Qin state to the state of Lu to study the rites and rituals under Confucius. The rites and rituals refer to the use of wisdom and culture to govern a state. Rǎngsì Chi was diligent in his studies and highly talented, excelling in poetry and writing. It is unclear exactly how the Rǎngsì clan emerged from the Ying surname, as it was unlikely for commoners to have the means to travel such a long distance to study in Lu. After Rǎngsì Chi, the Rǎngsì clan name is no longer mentioned in historical records. According to the “Shixing Kaolüe” (A Brief Study of Surnames), “Descendants of Rǎngsì Chi from Confucius’ disciples adopted ‘Rǎng’ as their single surname.” Therefore, the Rǎngsì clan is extremely rare today.

Founding Ancestor of the Clan: Rǎngsì Chi

The founder of the Rǎngsì clan is Rǎngsì Chi, who is recorded as a disciple of Confucius in the “Confucius Family Sayings.” The Rǎngsì clan originated from the Qin state during the Spring and Autumn period. The clan’s origins can be traced back to this region, which included present-day Lixian (northeast of Gansu Province), Zhangjiachuan, Baoji, and Fengxiang (southeast of Gansu Province) in Shaanxi Province. According to the “Yingxian Zhuan,” the Rǎngsì clan was a compound surname that was later simplified to the single surname “Rǎng.” As a result, the Rǎngsì clan is very rare today.

Migration and Distribution

Although the Rǎngsì clan is an ancient Han Chinese surname, it does not rank among the top 300 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan Province. In the Song Dynasty’s version of the “Hundred Family Surnames,” it was listed as the 452nd most common surname. During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a man named Rǎngsì Chi from the Qin state. Despite the state’s military strength, its level of civilization was low, and not many people valued culture. Rǎngsì Chi, however, was an exception; he traveled from the Qin state to the state of Lu to study the rites and rituals under Confucius. The Rǎngsì clan may have been a branch of the Ying noble family in the Qin state. It is unlikely that commoners could have traveled from the Qin state to Lu for education. After Rǎngsì Chi, the Rǎngsì clan name is no longer found in historical records. According to the “Shixing Kaolüe,” descendants of Rǎngsì Chi adopted “Rǎng” as their single surname.

Clan Halls (Tanghao):

• Tianshui Hall: Named after the area where the clan originated.
• Qin Commandery Hall: Named after the region where the clan originated.
• Jingzhao Hall: Named after the area where the clan originated.

Notable Figures with the Rǎngsì Surname:

• Rǎngsì Chi: Also known as Zitú, he was from Shangqi in the Qin state during the late Spring and Autumn period (present-day Qincheng District, Tianshui City, Gansu Province). He was a disciple of Confucius and one of the seventy-two sages. He was well-versed in the six arts and promoted the teachings of Confucius through poetry and rituals. Along with Yan Hui, Zeng Zi, Min Ziqian, and Ran You, he was one of the three most esteemed Confucian scholars from the region. During the Tang Dynasty, he was granted the title of “Beiz