The Duanmu Clan#

Surname: Duanmu, pronounced as duān mù

Distribution of the Duanmu Clan#

Lu County: Also known as the State of Lu or Lu County.** At the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty, the Xue County of the Qin Dynasty was renamed Lu County, with its administrative center in Lu County (present-day Qufu, Shandong). During the Three Kingdoms period, it was under the jurisdiction of the Cao Wei state and the Jin Dynasty, covering the areas of present-day Qufu, Sishui, and Ziyang in Shandong Province.

Guangping County: Established in the first year of Emperor Jing of Han (Lincheng, 149 BCE) from the Handan County. Its administrative center was in Guangping (present-day Jize, Hebei). It included the areas of present-day Ren County, Nanhe, Jize, Quzhou, Yongnian, as well as parts of Pingxiang to the northwest and Feixiang to the northeast. Later, it was renamed Guangping State.

Yingchuan County: Established in the 17th year of King Ying Zheng of Qin (230 BCE) after the conquest of the State of Han. The name Yingchuan comes from the Ying River, whose tributaries flowed through most of the county. The administrative center was in Yangzhai (present-day Yuzhou, Henan). Its jurisdiction included the areas of present-day Xuchang, Changge, Dengfeng, Baofeng to the east, Weishi and Yancheng to the west, Mi to the south, and Ye and Wuyang to the north.

Xunyang County: Established in the first year of the Yongxing era of the Western Jin Dynasty, with its administrative center in Xunyang (present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi).

Origin of the Duanmu Clan

The Duanmu surname has the following origins:

1. Derived from the Mi surname (Zhurong clan), originating from Duanmu Dian, a descendant of Yu Xiong, a teacher of King Wen of Zhou in the early Western Zhou period. This is an example of a surname based on the name of an ancestor.
2. Originated from the Hui ethnic group, resulting from Han Chinese assimilation.
3. Resulted from name changes, such as those among the Lin clan in Taiwan due to foreign invasions.

Ancestors of the Duanmu Surname

The founding ancestors of the Duanmu clan include Duanmu Ci (with sons Zi Gan and Zi Gong). Duanmu Ci was a favorite disciple of Confucius during the Spring and Autumn period. Known for his eloquence and oratory skills, he served as a prominent statesman in the states of Lu, Wei, and Qi. His fame extended to later generations, with some taking his father's name as their surname and others using his courtesy name. Therefore, Duanmu Ci is considered the ancestor of the Duanmu clan.

Migration and Distribution

The Duanmu clan is a typical Han Chinese surname. It does not rank among the top 100 surnames in mainland China or Taiwan Province. However, in the Song Dynasty's version of the "Hundred Family Surnames," it was ranked 447th among compound surnames. According to historical records, the Duanmu clan is a descendant of Confucius' disciple Duanmu Ci. Duanmu Ci was talented in speech and business, accumulating a fortune. He served as a Prime Minister in the states of Lu and Wei and played a key role in politics during the Spring and Autumn period. His descendants adopted his surname, either from his name or courtesy name.

Historical Context

The Duanmu clan originated in the State of Lu (present-day Qufu and Sishui, Shandong). During ancient times, the state of Wei was located in the area of present-day Qi County, Henan. The clan spread widely, with some branches adopting simplified forms of the surname (such as "Duan") or changing their surnames to avoid persecution. For example, during the Qin Dynasty, some members of the clan in Taiwan changed their surname to escape oppression.

Clan Halls

• Lu County Hall: Also known as the Lu State Hall.
• Guangping Hall: Named after its location.
• Yingchuan Hall: Named after its location.
• Xunyang Hall: Named after its location.
• Xingyang Hall: Named after its location.

Generational Patrons

The generational patterns for the Duanmu clan are as follows:

• For the Duanmu clan north of the Yangtze River: "Xingyu Chuanji Guangzhao Xianqing Fanxiang Lingde Weichui Youqin Shaonian Xianyang Jian Dao Dun An Dingmao Xiuyi Chang."
• For the Duanmu clan south of the Yangtze River (in regions such as Lishui, Donglu, and Nanjing): "Ming Dexin Chengqin Xianle Lili Yi Yi Chuanjia Yiyou Shouding Anxiang Dexiu Qi Zhi Pingjun."

Notable Figures with the Duanmu Surname

• Duanmu Ci: A disciple of Confucius, known for his eloquence and political influence.
• Duanmu Guohu: A prominent scholar and poet of the Qing Dynasty, author of multiple literary works.

Legacy and Distribution

The Duanmu clan has a long history, with roots dating back more than 2,500 years. Many descendants have achieved significant accomplishments, especially in business and commerce. The clan originated in the State of Lu and has spread throughout China and abroad. Today, Duanmu descendants can be found in various regions, including Kunming and Tonghai in Yunnan Province, Nanjing, Yixing, Jurong, Jintan, Changzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou, and other cities in Jiangsu Province, as well as in Beijing, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Hebei