The Huan Clan#

Surname: Huan (Pronunciation: huán)

Distribution of the Huan Clan#

Qiao Commandery: During the first year of the Jian era of the Eastern Han dynasty, a portion of Pei Commandery was separated to establish Qiao Commandery, which corresponded to the area between present-day Anhui and Henan provinces. The administrative center of Qiao Commandery was Qiao County, which is now known as Hao County in Anhui.

Origins of the Huan Clan#

The Huan surname has four origins:

1. Ancient Origins: The surname originated from the ancestral name. According to "Shi Xing Kao Lüe," the Yellow Emperor had a minister named Huan Chang, and his descendants adopted the character "Huan" as their surname. Huan Chang is considered the progenitor of the Huan clan.

2. Derived from the Jiang Clan: The surname was derived from an posthumous title. As recorded in "Tong Zhi·Shi Zu Lüe," during the Spring and Autumn period, a son of Duke Xiang of Qi named Xiao Bai entered Qi after his father was killed. He later became one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period and was given the posthumous title "Huan," hence the Huan surname.

3. Derived from the Zi Clan: The surname was derived from a posthumous title. According to "Tong Zhi·Shi Zu Lüe," a ruler of the Song state was given the posthumous title "Huan," and his descendants adopted this title as their surname.

4. Derived from the Xianbei Uhan Clan: During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Xianbei Uhan clan (originally Uhan) changed their surname to Huan after moving to the Central Plains.

Progenitor of the Huan Clan: Huan Chang is regarded as the progenitor of the Huan clan. According to "Shi Xing Kao Lüe," Huan Chang was a minister of the Yellow Emperor, and his descendants adopted the character "Huan" as their surname.

Distribution of the Huan Clan: The Huan clan is not among the top 100 surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. In the Song dynasty version of the "Hundred Surnames," it is ranked 407th. Its ancestral home was Qiao Commandery (Hao County, Anhui Province). The clan has four origins: one from the Jiang clan, one from the Zi clan, one from the Xianbei Uhan clan, and one from the Zi clan.

Hall Names (Tang Hao): In the Jin dynasty, eleven generals of the Huan clan (Huan Shi Xiu, Huan Shi Qian, Huan Yin, Huan Chong, Huan Xiong, Huan Yun, Huan Wen, Huan Huo, Huan Qian, Huan Zhen) assisted in supporting the Han dynasty.

Common Couplets for the Huan Clan's Ancestral Hall:

Four-Character Couplets:

• Honor derives from Qiao Commandery; Originates from a minister of the emperor. (Refer to the sections on clan origins and hall names above.)
• Their achievements shine as brightly as the sun; Their authority is as prominent as the imperial horse.
• Their descendants passed down new theories through the ages; Their ranks rose steadily through the generations.

Five-Character Couplets:

• Brothers both became governors; Fathers and sons both became generals.
• Wives displayed great loyalty by returning home in simple attire; Chaste wives sacrificed themselves for righteousness.

Seven-Character Couplets:

• Choosing a husband as worthy as a dragon; Saving a relative by riding a horse through danger.
• Speaking truth about worldly affairs; Proposing bold theories regarding state affairs.

These couplets reflect the history and values of the Huan clan, including their origins, contributions to society, and their role in Chinese history.