The Xiao Clan#

Surname: Xiao, Pronunciation: xiāo

Regions Where the Xiao Clan Is Found**#

Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province; Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province; Xiangshan County, Shandong Province

Origins of the Xiao Clan**#

The Xiao clan is a Chinese surname that ranked 99th in the Song Dynasty version of the "Hundred Surnames" (Baijiaxing).

Origins of the Xiao Surname:

There are four theories regarding the origin of the Xiao surname:

1. It originates from the descendants of Bo Yi, a virtuous minister of the Great Yu. According to historical records, Bo Yi, a leader of the Ying clan, served as a minister in the area of Xiao and adopted the Xiao surname, which was passed down through his descendants.
2. It originates from the Zi clan, with the surname being derived from the name of a state. According to sources such as the "Yuanhe Xingzuan" and "Gujin Xingshizhu Bianjian," it is said to be a descendant of Wei Zi Qi of the Song state during the Zhou Dynasty. The "Tongzhi·Shizu Lue" states, "The Xiao clan originated from the ancient state of Xiao, which was later annexed by the Song state. Wei Zi Qi's grandson, Da Xin, was awarded the title of 'Chang Wan' for his contributions and was granted the land of Xiao as a vassal state. In the 12th year of Emperor Xuan's reign, the state of Chu conquered Xiao, and Da Xin's descendants adopted the Xiao surname."
3. It originated from ethnic minorities who changed their surnames or were granted the Xiao surname. According to the "Xu Tongzhi·Shizu Lue," "Xingshui Cidian," and "Gujin Xingshizhu Bianjian," during the Han Dynasty, the Balili, Yisujile, and Shululu tribes were granted the Xiao surname. During the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Khitan tribes of Balili, Yisujile, and Bulu also changed their surnames to Xiao. The "Liao Shi·Liezhuan·Houfei" records that because the founder of the Liao Dynasty admired Emperor Gao of Han, the Yelü clan also adopted the Liu surname.
4. It resulted from the integration of other surnames. According to the "Lanling Shijia·Xiao, Zhong, Ye Sanxing Ben Yijia" published by the Taipei Xiao Clan Association, during the Song Dynasty, a general named Zhong Da was framed by treacherous officials, and his entire family was executed. Three of his sons survived and changed their surnames to Xiao and Ye to escape persecution. However, this theory is controversial.
5. During the Jin and Yuan dynasties, some people from the Taiyi religion, which was popular in northern China, adopted the Xiao surname.

Founder of the Xiao Clan: Da Xin

The Xiao surname originally stemmed from the Zi clan. During the Spring and Autumn period, a famous general from the Song state named Nan Gong Chang Wan was captured after a defeat in battle against the state of Lu. He was imprisoned in the palace and returned to the Song state several months later. Emperor Min of Song often mocked him. Angered and humiliated, Chang Wan killed Emperor Min in a drunken fit and then rebelled, proclaiming another prince as the new ruler. Later, Da Xin, a descendant of Wei Zi of the Song state, led an army to overthrow Chang Wan, restoring order and supporting Emperor Min's brother, Emperor Huan of Song, to the throne. For his contributions, Da Xin was granted the land of Xiao as a vassal state, and the state of Xiao was established. Da Xin was known as Lord Xiao.

Migration and Distribution

The Xiao clan first originated in present-day Shandong Province. During the Pre-Qin period, the clan dispersed due to the fall of their state, becoming weakened. Social unrest during the Qin and Han dynasties prompted the clan to migrate, marking the beginning of their expansion. Over time, the Xiao clan spread from their original habitat to other regions, producing many notable figures, such as Xiao He, a prominent minister of the Han Dynasty. He assisted Liu Bang in the revolution, collected important documents from the Qin dynasty, and played a key role in the establishment of the Western Han dynasty. His descendants held high positions, contributing to the prosperity of the Han dynasty and leading to the emergence of several prominent branches of the clan.

During the Three Kingdoms and Jin dynasties, frequent wars and the "Yongjia Rebellion" prompted the migration of the clan to the south, further expanding their influence. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Xiao clan became prominent and established the Qi and Liang dynasties, experiencing a period of great prosperity. In the Tang and Song dynasties, the clan flourished, with many members becoming scholars and officials. During the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, they migrated to regions such as Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Hubei. By the late Qing dynasty, members of the Xiao clan also migrated to Taiwan and overseas, spreading throughout China.

Today, the Xiao clan is widely distributed, with a significant presence in provinces such as Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei, Shandong, and Guangdong. It is the 30th most common surname in China, with a population accounting for approximately 0.6% of the total Han population.

Notable Figures with the Xiao Surname:

• Xiao Yan: A famous general from the Southern Dynasties, he established the Liang dynasty after overthrowing the corrupt and chaotic court of the Qi dynasty.
• Xiao Daocheng: Also from the Southern Dynasties, he rose to power during a court rebellion, proclaimed himself emperor, and founded the Qi dynasty, known as Emperor Gao of Qi.