山姓
The Shan surname, with 3000+ years of history, originates from Henan, deriving from a Zhou Dynasty official role or a simplified Xianbei compound surname. Its prominent ancestor is Shan Tao of the Seven Sages, and it's now a common Chinese surname.
Shan Family Name
Family Name: Shan, pronounced as “shān”
Regions Where the Shan Family Name is Found**
- Henan Commandery: Established during the reign of Emperor Gao of Han. It is located in the area around present-day Luoyang City, Henan Province.
- Hennei Commandery: Established during the Chu-Han period. Corresponds to the area around present-day Wuzhi, Henan Province.
Origins of the Shan Family Name
The origin of the “Shan” family name can be traced to the following two possibilities:
- ** deriving from an official position:** According to “Mingxian Shizu Yanxing Leigao,” during the Zhou Dynasty, there was an official named Shan Shi who was in charge of forests and mountains; subsequently, the Shan family name emerged.
- resulting from the transformation of a compound surname of an ancient northern ethnic minority: As recorded in “Wei Shu·Guan Shi Zhi,” during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there was a compound surname called Tuna in the Northern Wei Dynasty. After moving to the Central Plains, it was changed to the single surname Shan.
Ancestors of the Shan Family Name
The ancestors of the Shan family include Lie Shan and Shu Shan Ran. The Shan family name has a long history, spanning at least 3,000 years, and its origins are diverse. According to “Fengsu Tong,” the Shan family is descended from the ancient Lie Shan family, with its prominent lineage originating from Hennei. This branch of the Shan family regards Lie Shan as the progenitor of the Shan surname. Additionally, during the Spring and Autumn period, there was a high-ranking official in the state of Chu named Shu Shan Ran; his descendants adopted the character “shan” from his name as their surname, passing it down through generations. Some descendants of Shu Shan Ran also used the surname “Ran,” indicating that both the Shu Shan and Ran families share the same ancestor.
Hall Name
“Hunpu Hall”: Shan Tao, one of the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove,” lived during the Jin Dynasty. He served as the Prime Minister of the state of Zhao and later as the Minister of Personnel in the Jin Dynasty. Known for his integrity, frugality, and fairness, he was renowned for selecting talented individuals. He once advised against reducing military preparations in the provinces, a view highly respected by the emperor. Wang Rong praised him as being like “hun jin” (pure gold) and “pu yu” (unpolished jade).
Migration and Distribution
The Shan family name is one of the common Chinese surnames, ranking 227th in the “Hundred Family Surnames” list. It originates from the Lie Shan branch of the Jiang family and is currently primarily found in provinces and cities such as Shandong, Sichuan, and Qinghai. Among the most famous members of this family are Shan Tao, one of the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.”