Recorded history
Origins, distribution, and modern use
Surname: Sun, pronunciation: sūn
Distribution of the Sun Clan
Taiyuan Commandery: Established during the Warring States period under King Zhuangxiang of Qin. This branch of the Sun family is a descendant of the Fuchun Sun clan, with its founding ancestor being Fu, the eleventh-generation grandson of Sun Ming. Chenliu Commandery: Established by Qin, located in present-day Chenliu City, southeast of Kaifeng, Henan Province. This commandery existed throughout various dynasties and was merged into Kaifeng County in 1957. During the Western Han Dynasty, its administrative center was also in Chenliu County. In the Northern Wei Dynasty, it was governed from Xunyi; during the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was part of Bianzhou Chenliu Commandery. Le'an Commandery: Established in the Eastern Han Dynasty; this branch of the Sun family is associated with Sun Wu, the legendary military strategist. Fuchun Commandery: Established by Qin; this branch of the Sun family is a descendant of the Le'an Sun clan, with its founding ancestor being Sun Ming, a descendant of Sun Wu. Ji Commandery: Established during the Jin Dynasty, with its administrative center in Ji County (southwest of present-day Weihui City, Henan Province). During the Sui and Tang dynasties, Ji Commandery was part of Weizhou. This branch of the Sun family has a long history in this region and is associated with Sun Deng, a hermit from the Jin Dynasty. Dongguan Commandery: Present in the Han Dynasty as Dongguan County, with its administrative center in present-day Yishui, Shandong Province. Dongguan Commandery was re-established at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, with its center located northeast of Yishui. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it was relocated to Jiling (southeast of present-day Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province) and was abolished at the end of the Southern Qi Dynasty. The current Dongguan County in Guangdong Province was established during the Tang Dynasty. Wu Commandery: Established in 129 AD by dividing Kuaiji Commandery; its administrative center was in Wu County (present-day Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province), covering the areas along both banks of the Qiantang River below Jiande. Therefore, present-day Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, was also part of Wu Commandery. Fuchun Commandery: Located in present-day Fuyang, Zhejiang Province. The county of Fuchun was established by Qin and was renamed Fuyang during the Taiyuan era of the Jin Dynasty. During the Five Dynasties period, it was called Fuchun under the rule of Wu and Yue; it was renamed Fuyang again during the Song Dynasty.
Origin of the Sun Surname
The origin of the surname “Sun”…