席姓
The surname Xi, originating from a teacher of Yao or a changed Ji surname, is distributed in Pingliang, Gansu. Notable bearers include Qing poet Xi Peilan and contemporary poet/artist Xi Murong.
Xi Family Name
The family name is Xi, pronounced as “xí”.
Distribution of the Xi Family Name
Pingliang, Gansu
Origin of the Xi Family Name
The origin of the “Xi” family name can be traced back to the following two possibilities:
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Descendants of a teacher named Xi: According to the “Wanxing Zongpu” (Genealogy of All Family Names), when Yao was a tribal leader, he met an old man who introduced himself as belonging to the Xi clan. The old man entertained Yao by playing a game involving throwing objects and singing at the same time. Impressed by his skills, Yao took him as his teacher. This teacher is considered the ancestor of the Xi family.
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A change from the “Ji” family name: During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a high-ranking official in the state of Jin named Ji Tan. Since he was in charge of managing the state’s archives, he adopted “Ji” as his family name. His thirteenth-generation descendant, Ji Xiang, lived during the time of Xiang Yu in the Qin dynasty. To avoid taboos related to Xiang Yu’s name, Ji Xiang changed his surname to “Xi”, and his descendants followed suit.
Famous People with the Xi Family Name
- Xi Peilan: A female poet from the Qing dynasty, also known by the names Rui Zhu, Yue Jin, Yun Fen, and Dao Hua. She was reputed for her expertise in painting orchids and adopted the pseudonym “Peilan”. She was the wife of the Qing poet Sun Yuanxiang and was one of the most talented female poets among Yuan Mei’s students. Her poetry is characterized by its freshness, elegance, and imaginative brilliance. Yuan Mei praised her work, saying, “Each word of her poetry comes from her very soul; she does not rely on the wisdom of ancient poets, yet her verses possess a natural and exquisite beauty.” She authored works such as “Changzhen Ge Shigao” (Poetic Manuscripts from Changzhen Pavilion) and “Bangxing Lou Diaqin Cao” (Musical Notes from Bangxing Tower).
- Xi Murong: Although her surname is not officially “Xi”, her full name is Mu Lun Xi Lianbo, which means “great river”. “Murong” is a transliteration of “Mu Lun”. Born on November 12, 1943, she is of Mongolian ethnicity and born under the sign of Scorpio. She is a renowned contemporary poet, essayist, and painter. As a Mongolian woman from the Mingan Banner of Chahar, she is descended from a royal family; her grandmother was a princess of the royal clan. She later moved to Taiwan with her family.