The Shi Family#

Surname: Shi, pronounced as “shí”

Distribution of the Shi Family#

• Chenliu Commandery: Established during the Han Dynasty, with its administrative center in Chenliu (now southeast of Kaifeng, Henan).
• Longxi Commandery: Established during the Qin Dynasty, with its administrative center in Didao (now south of Lintao, Gansu); during the Three Kingdoms period, the capital was moved to Xiangwu (now southwest of Longxi, Gansu).
• Julu Commandery: Established during the Qin Dynasty, with its administrative center in Julu (now part of Hebei).

Origin of the Shi Family#

The Shi surname ranks 146th among Chinese surnames in popularity, with a relatively large population, accounting for approximately 0.077% of the total Han population in China. It is now considered a less common surname.

Origins of the Shi Surname: There are five theories regarding the origin of the Shi surname:

1. It originates from the descendants of Shen Shushi, a high-ranking official of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period. According to “Shi Xing Cao Lue,” to distinguish themselves from other clans, the descendants adopted the name of Shen Shushi as their surname.
2. It may have originated from the Zi clan, descending from a branch of King Tang of the Shang Dynasty. According to “Shi Ben,” during the Spring and Autumn period, a high-ranking official from the State of Song was granted the fief of Shiyi, and his descendants adopted the name of the fief as their surname.
3. It could have originated from the Ying clan. According to “Lu Shi,” the ancient State of Shi was conquered by the State of Chu, and its descendants adopted the name of the conquered state as their surname.
4. During the Warring States period, there was a wise man named Shi Zi from the State of Qi who wrote influential works; his descendants adopted the character “shi” from his name as their surname.
5. Some members of the Shi surname may have come from other clans and later settled in Hebei.

Ancestor of the Shi Surname: Shen Shushi was a member of the royal family of the State of Chu. During the Spring and Autumn period, when Duke Ling of Chen was corrupt and involved in immoral affairs with Lady Xia, Shen Shushi opposed these actions. When Lady Xia’s son, Zheng Shu, learned of this, he assassinated Duke Ling. Taking this as an opportunity, King Zhuang of Chu led an army to conquer Chen and abolished the state. Despite the praise from his ministers, Shen Shushi argued that destroying Chen would only provoke resentment. King Zhuang listened to his advice and decided to restore Chen. For this, Shen Shushi gained great respect and was revered as the ancestor of the Shi surname.

Spread of the Shi Surname: The Shi surname originated in southern Henan, which was part of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period. Due to official appointments and other factors, the Shi family spread throughout Chu over time. During the Warring States period, notable individuals with the Shi surname, such as Shi Zi from the State of Qi and Shi Gui from the State of Yue, left their marks on history. During the Han Dynasty, there were people with the Shi surname in places like Shouchun and Julu. During the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Shi family thrived in Julu Commandery, and those who moved from southern Henan to Kaifeng also contributed to its popularity. Additionally, members of the Shi surname migrated to areas such as Gansu and Shaanxi, further expanding its distribution. Following the establishment of the capital in Kaifeng during the Northern Song Dynasty, the Shi family’s prominence in Chenliu Commandery continued. In the Southern Song Dynasty, more people with the Shi surname appeared in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. During the Ming Dynasty, the Shi family spread to other provinces, and during the Qing Dynasty, members moved to the northeastern provinces.

Hall Names (Tang Hao): “Longxi,” “Renshu,” “Julu,” etc.

Notable People with the Shi Surname: Shi Miao, a native of Julu during the Three Kingdoms period, was known for his integrity and opposition to evil. He served as the governor of Shouchun and brought about positive changes in the region. Another notable figure was Shi Zi from the State of Qi, highly regarded by Mencius. During the Wei Dynasty, there were also many Shi family members who held significant positions in various regions.

The Shi surname has a rich history and a wide distribution across China, with significant populations in Henan and Shandong provinces accounting for approximately 66% of the total Han population with the Shi surname nationwide.