羿姓
The Yi surname, originating from legendary archer Hou Yi of the Xia Dynasty, has two main origins: Chinese (from the Youqiong tribe in Shandong) and Mongolian. It is not among China's top 100 surnames and is primarily distributed in provinces like Liaoning, Hubei, and Taiwan.
Yi Family Name
Family Name: Yi, Pronunciation: yì
Distribution of the Yi Family Name
- Jiyang Commandery: During the reign of Emperor Hui of the Jin Dynasty, Chenliu Commandery was reorganized into Jiyang Commandery, with its administrative center located in Jiyang. This area roughly corresponds to the eastern part of present-day Lankao, Henan Province, and the southern part of Dongming, Shandong Province. The commandery was abolished after the Jin Dynasty moved south.
- Qi Commandery: In the early Western Han Dynasty, Linzi Commandery was renamed Qi Commandery, with its administrative center in the vicinity of present-day Linzi County, Shandong Province.
Origin of the Yi Family Name
There are two theories regarding the origin of the Yi family name:
- Hou Yi: Hou Yi is undoubtedly one of the most legendary figures in Chinese history. According to the Zuo Zhuan, he was the ruler of the Youqiong tribe and was renowned for his archery skills. He even attempted to seize the throne from the fifth ruler of the Xia Dynasty but failed to govern properly and was eventually killed by his subordinate Han Zhuo. The history of the Yi family is ancient, but there are few documentary records about their activities over the centuries. It is believed that the Youqiong state was located in the area around present-day Jiyang, Shandong, which is also considered the birthplace of the Yi family. Hou Yi's unparalleled archery skills are well-documented in various ancient texts. For example, the Xia Ben Ji states that Hou Yi came from a family of archery officials; these officials were responsible for training archers, and Hou Yi mastered archery from a young age. His strong and agile hands allowed him to draw powerful bows, resulting in incredibly accurate shots. However, he was soon killed by his own subordinates after becoming the tribal leader. His descendants took his name as their surname and passed it down through generations.
- Mongolian Origin: The Yi surname also exists among the Mongolian people.
Originator of the Surname: Hou Yi, a famous archer of the Xia Dynasty, is considered the ancestor of the Yi family. As the leader of the Youqiong tribe, Hou Yi was skilled in archery. The Xia emperor Taikang, obsessed with hunting, neglected state affairs and was overthrown by Hou Yi. Despite ascending to the throne, Hou Yi continued to indulge in hunting and neglected governance. According to mythology, during the reign of Emperor Yao, ten suns appeared in the sky, causing widespread destruction; Hou Yi shot down nine of them, saving the people from disaster. Thus, Hou Yi is regarded as the progenitor of the Yi family name.
Distribution: The Yi surname does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It is primarily found in Liaoning, Hubei, Beijing, Shanxi, Anhui, and Taiwan.
Hall Names: One hall name associated with the Yi family is Sumin Tang, which means “to be rescued” or “to be brought back to life after death.” According to legend, during Yao’s reign, ten suns appeared simultaneously, causing plants to wither and fierce beasts and snakes to cause havoc. Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns, saving the people and earning their admiration.