Shen Family Name#

Shen is the family name, pronounced as “shèn”.

Regions Where the Shen Family Name is Found#

Tianshui Commandery: Established during the Western Han Dynasty, it corresponds to the areas east of Tianshui and Longxi in present-day Gansu Province.

Origin of the Shen Family Name#

The origin of the “Shen” family name can be traced to two sources:

1. It originates from a descendant of Qin Huali, who took his ancestral name as his surname. Qin Huali was a disciple of Mozi during the Spring and Autumn Period, and his courtesy name was Shenzi. His descendants adopted his courtesy name as their family name, thus forming the Shen surname.

2. It also originates from the Mi family, where they took the name of a place where they were granted land as their surname. Some descendants of Bai Gongsheng, the crown prince of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period, were granted the territory of Shenyi, and they used the name of this place as their family name. According to “Xing Shu Cao Lüe” (A Brief Examination of Family Names), there was a place called Shen County in the State of Chu during that time, which was the fief of Bai Gongsheng. His descendants took the name of this place as their surname, with their ancestral homeland being Tianshui. Historical records indicate that Shenyi during the Chu period was located in the northwest of present-day Yingchang County, Anhui Province. The prominent family members of this clan resided in Tianshui Commandery (in the southwest of present-day Tongwei County, Gansu Province).

Ancestor of the Shen Family Name

Qin Huali was a famous thinker from the State of Wei during the Warring States Period. His full name was Qin Quili, with the courtesy name Shenzi. His descendants adopted his courtesy name as their family name in his honor. Qin Huali was a scholar of the Legalist school of thought. He advocated for a government based on the rule of law and believed that a monarch with authority and laws could govern the world with minimal intervention. Seven of his works have survived, including “Shenzi.” According to “Shang You Lu,” “Qin Huali, with the courtesy name Shenzi, took his courtesy name as his family name.”

Distribution of the Shen Family Name

The Shen family name does not rank among the top 100 most common family names in mainland China or Taiwan.

There are two theories about the origin of the Shen family name: One theory suggests that it comes from a disciple of Mozi from the State of Wei during the Warring States Period, named Qin Huali, whose courtesy name was Shenzi, and whose descendants adopted this name. Another theory suggests that they took the name of a place where they were granted land.

Common Couplets for Shen Family Ancestral Halls

Four-Character Couplets for Shen Family Ancestral Halls#

• “Originating from Shenyi, with ancestral ties to Tianshui.” (This couplet refers to the family name's origin and its connection to the Tianshui region.)
• “Resigned from office to care for his mother; refused to follow the harsh examination rules.” (This couplet commemorates a person named Shen Zhili from the Northern Song Dynasty who resigned from office to care for his elderly mother and refused to comply with the strict examination rules.)

Five-Character Couplets for Shen Family Ancestral Halls#

• “Shenzi’s teachings have lasted for thousands of years; famous mountains are recorded in history.” (This couplet acknowledges the enduring influence of the Shen family name and the historical significance of the Shen family.)
• “The Shen family's virtue spreads throughout the regions.” (This couplet praises the virtuous officials of the Shen family, such as Shen Yue from the Song Dynasty.)
• “The Shen family’s governance was both authoritative and benevolent.” (This couplet emphasizes the balanced approach to governance of the Shen family during different dynasties.)

These couplets reflect the history, culture, and values of the Shen family.