燕姓
The Yan surname, with origins tracing back to the Yellow Emperor, primarily derives from the ancient states of Northern Yan (founded by Ji Shi, son of Zhao Gong) and Southern Yan. It spread from commanderies like Shanggu and Fanyang, and includes a Xianbei tribal branch, evolving over 2200 years.
The Yan Family Name
The Yan Family Name
The family name is Yan, pronounced as yān.
Regions Where the Yan Family Name is Found
- Shanggu Commandery: Established in 222 BC after the Qin State conquered the Zhao State, with its administrative center located in Juyang (southeast of present-day Huailai County, Hebei Province).
- Fanyang Commandery: During the Three Kingdoms period, the Wei State renamed Zhuo Commandery as Fanyang Commandery. This area corresponds to present-day Zhuo County in Hebei Province, as well as Changping and Fangshan Counties in Beijing.
Origins of the Yan Family Name
The origin of the Yan family name can be traced to three different sources:
- From the Ji surname: Descendants of the Yellow Emperor, who adopted the name of their state as their family name. One of the descendants of the Yellow Emperor, named Qì, was the founder of the Zhou Dynasty. After King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang Dynasty, he enfeoffed Zhao Gong in Yan, establishing the state of Yan with its capital in Ji (present-day Beijing). To distinguish it from another state of Yan in the Yanjin area, it was called Northern Yan. Zhao Gong sent his eldest son to govern Yan, while he himself stayed in the capital of Haojing to assist in governance. The descendants of Zhao Gong's eldest son ruled Yan for forty-three generations before the state was conquered by the Qin State. The royal descendants of Yan then adopted the name of their former state as their family name.
- From another surname: A descendant of the Yellow Emperor named Bó Shū was enfeoffed in Yan (northeast of present-day Yanjin County, Henan Province) during the Shang Dynasty, where he established the state of Yan, also known as Southern Yan. After the fall of Southern Yan, his descendants adopted the name of their former state as their family name.
- From the ancient Xianbei tribe in the north: This branch of the Yan family originated from the Xianbei people.
Founder of the Yan Family Name
The founder of the Yan family name is Zhao Gong. The Yan family in China derived its name from the state of Yan, which was named after Yan Mountain. According to historical records, more than 3,000 years ago, the Zhou emperor enfeoffed Zhao Gong, a meritorious minister, in the area of Ji. Zhao Gong was impressed by the majestic beauty of Yan Mountain and named his state after it. The state of Yan lasted until the end of the Warring States period, when it was conquered by Qin Shi Huang. The royal descendants of Yan then adopted the name of their former state as their family name.
Distribution of the Yan Family
The Yan family name is not among the top 100 most common family names in mainland China or Taiwan. The Yan family originated from the Ji surname. After King Wu of Zhou defeated King Zhou of Shang and established his rule, a noble named Ji Shuang was enfeoffed in Yan (northern Hebei and western Liaoning provinces). When the state of Yan was conquered by the Qin State at the end of the Warring States period, the descendants of Ji Shuang adopted the name of their former state as their family name.
Migration and Spread
The Yan family name has spread throughout China. Many prominent individuals with the Yan surname have emerged throughout history, including Yan Cang, a meritorious official in the Han Dynasty; Yan Song, a general in the Song Dynasty; and Yan Wen Gui, a famous painter. The Yan family has a rich historical heritage, with roots dating back more than 2,200 years.
The Yan family name has two main branches: one originating from the Ji surname (associated with the state of Northern Yan) and the other from the Xianbei tribe (associated with the state of Southern Yan). Both branches trace their ancestry to the Yellow Emperor and the Ji surname.