Huai Surname#

Surname: Huai, pronunciation: huái

Distribution of the Huai Surname#

The ancestral home of the Huai surname is associated with Henan Commandery. During the Qin Dynasty, it was known as Sanchuan Commandery, and it was renamed Henan Commandery by Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty. The administrative center was Luoyang (present-day Luoyang, Henan Province), which governed twenty-two counties. The territory roughly corresponds to the areas of present-day Mengjin, Yanshi, Gongyi, Xingyang, Yuanyang, Zhongmu, Zhengzhou, Xinzheng, Xinmi, Linru, Ruyang, Yichuan, and Luoyang in Henan Province.

Origin of the Huai Surname#

There are four theories regarding the origin of the Huai surname:

1. From the Zi surname: The surname derived from the name of a particular place. According to "The Complete Dictionary of Chinese Surnames" and "Lu History," descendants of Weizi Qi, the founder of the State of Song during the Spring and Autumn period, adopted the name Huai as their surname.
2. From the Ji surname: Descendants of King Wen of Zhou (Ji Chang) also adopted the name Huai. In the early Western Zhou period, King Wu of Zhou granted the title of lord to Shuyu, a member of the Ji family, in the town of Huai (present-day Wuzhi County, Henan Province). He also granted the "Nine Clans of Huai," who were remnants of the Xia people living in the State of Jin, to Shuyu. Some of Shuyu's descendants took the name of their former fief, Huai, as their surname.
3. From the Mi surname: Descendants of King Huai of the State of Chu during the Warring States period also bore the Huai surname. According to "The Book of Han: Records of Emperor Gaozu," the Huai family was one of the prominent clans of the State of Chu. After Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty, he ordered the relocation of the Chu noble clans of Zhao, Qu, Jing, Huai, and Tian to Guanzhong.
4. From the Wuhuai tribe: In ancient Central China, there was a tribe called the Wuhuai tribe, known for their simple and peaceful lifestyle. It is said that the Huai surname originated from their descendants.

Founder of the Surname

The founder of the Huai surname is Shuyu. King Wu of Zhou granted the title of lord to Shuyu in the State of Tang and also granted the "Nine Clans of Huai," who were remnants of the Shang people, to Shuyu as his subjects. Shuyu was advised to govern the Xia remnants living among the Rong people according to the customs of the Xia people and the laws of the Rong people. Another theory suggests that after Shuyu was later granted a different fief, some of his descendants adopted the name of their former fief, Huai, as their surname.

Distribution

The Huai surname does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It originated in the Zhou Dynasty. In the early Zhou period, King Wu of Zhou granted the title of lord to Shuyu in the State of Tang and granted the "Nine Clans of Huai" to him. Some of Shuyu's descendants took the name of their former fief, Huai, as their surname. Additionally, a branch of the Huai surname originated in the State of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period. Another branch of the Huai surname came from a noble family in the State of Zheng, whose fief included the town of Huai (present-day Wuzhi County, Henan Province).

Notable Figures with the Huai Surname

Throughout history, many individuals with the Huai surname have made significant contributions. For example, during the Three Kingdoms period, there was Huai Xu who served as a minister in the state of Wu; in the Qing Dynasty, there was Huai Tabu, a high-ranking military official. In modern times, there are General Huai Guomiao from the former National Defense Science, Technology, and Industry Commission and Major General Huai Yaosheng from the former Nanjing Military Academy.

Hall Names

Common hall names for the Huai surname include "Hunan Hall."

Couplets for Huai Surname Ancestral Halls

Four-character Couplets:

• Achievements inscribed in the state of Wu; Political contributions acknowledged as a minister. (Alluding to Huai Xu's service in Wu and his position as a minister.)
• An official who dared to speak out; A minister with a distinguished reputation. (Alluding to the loyalty and political achievements of Huai En.)

Six-character Couplets:

• An official who alone dared to speak out; A minister with a notable reputation. (Alluding to Huai En and Huai Xu.)

The Huai surname has a long and honorable history, with many notable figures throughout Chinese history, including monks, generals, researchers, and scholars.