The Xi Family#

Surname: Xi, pronounced as “xī”

Distribution of the Xi Family#

Jiaoguo County, Anhui Province

Origin of the Xi Family#

The origin of the “Xi” surname can be traced back to the following two sources:

1. Derivation from the “Ren” surname: According to “Xing Yuan” (The Origin of Surnames), during the Xia Dynasty, Xi Zhong served as the “Che Zheng” (the official in charge of chariots). His original position was in Xue (present-day Teng County, Shandong Province), but later he moved to Pi (present-day Weishan County, Shandong Province). His descendants adopted the surname “Xi” as their own.
2. Transformation from a Xianbei compound surname: As recorded in “Wei Shu · Guan Shi Zhi” (The Book of Wei · Records of Official Families), during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Northern Wei Dynasty had a compound Xianbei surname, “Bo Xi Shi.” After following Emperor Xiaowen of Wei to the Central Plains, they adopted the Han surname “Ge.”

Ancestor of the Xi Family The ancestor of the Xi family is Xi Zhong. The Xi surname originated in the Xia Dynasty. As stated in “Gujin Xing Shu Bian Zheng” (A Critical Examination of Ancient and Modern Surnames): “It originated from the ‘Ren’ surname; Xi Zhong, one of the four important officials of the Xia Dynasty, adopted the character from his given name as his surname.” Xi Zhong was a descendant of the Yellow Emperor and served as the “Che Zheng” during the Xia Dynasty. He is also said to have been the inventor of the chariot. This position was of great importance, as only the nobility could afford to ride in chariots, so it was solely held by royal relatives. For his contributions, Xi Zhong was granted the fiefdom of “Xi,” and his descendants took the name “Xi” from the name of his fiefdom.

Migration and Distribution The Xi surname is not among the top 100 most common surnames in either mainland China or Taiwan. It is one of the earliest surnames recorded in Chinese history. Even before the reigns of Emperors Di, Shun, and Yao, when surnames did not yet exist, Xi Zhong, a man named Xi Zhong, invented the chariot, which greatly assisted Emperor Yu in his efforts to control floods. This is mentioned in the saying, “Emperor Yu controlled the floods with the help of Xi Zhong’s invention of the chariot.” This is the earliest recorded surname in Chinese history. The “Che Zheng” was a vital role, and only the royal family could hold it. Since Xi Zhong was granted the fiefdom of “Xi,” his descendants adopted this name as their surname.

Notable Figures with the Xi Surname

• Xi Jin: (369–448) A general of the Northern Wei Dynasty from the Dai region, son of Xi Dan, known for his eloquence and judgment. He served as a military officer and was close to the emperor. He participated in campaigns against the Murong clan and later became the Commander of the Imperial Cavalry. During the Huangshi period, he was appointed as the Commander of the Imperial Guard. When the imperial court returned to the capital, bandits in various regions rose up, and Xi Jin, along with other officials, quelled them. He also defeated the Gaoche and Youlian tribes and relocated their people south of the border. Later, he advanced against the Houmochen tribe, established garrisons, and was promoted to various military positions, eventually being granted the title of Marquis of Shanyang.

The Xi family has a long and honorable history, with its ancestral roots dating back to the Xia Dynasty. While not all Xi descendants are direct descendants of the Yellow Emperor, some descendants of the Xianbei tribe, such as the Tuoba clan, adopted the Xi surname during their migration to the Central Plains with the Northern Wei Dynasty. Over time, they integrated into the Chinese nation. The Xi family became a prominent clan in Jiaoguo County.

Clan Halls The main clan hall of the Xi family is the “Ligeng Hall.”

Notable People with the Xi Surname

• Xi Jin was a general of the Northern Wei Dynasty, known for his strategic thinking and military skills. He played a significant role in the governance of the dynasty.