西门姓
The Ximen clan is an ancient, multi-origin Chinese surname derived from officials residing by the "West Gate" in states like Zheng, Qi, and Wei. Its prominent lineages originated from Liang Jun and Wei Jun regions, but it remains a rare surname in both mainland China and Taiwan today.
The Xi Men Clan
Surname: Xi Men, pronounced as xī mén
Distribution of the Xi Men Clan
Liang Jun (County): Also known as Liang Guo or Liang Guo Jun, it was established in the fifth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BCE), during the Jihai year. Before that, it was called Dang Jun, with its administrative center in Huaiyang (present-day Shangqiu, Henan). It governed eight counties, covering areas including present-day Shangqiu, Yucheng, and Minquan in Henan, as well as Dangshan in Anhui and Caoxian in Shandong.
Wei Jun (County): Established by Liu Bang during the Qin and Han dynasties, its administrative center was in Ye County (present-day Linzhang, Hebei). At that time, its jurisdiction extended across the borders of Hebei, Shandong, and Henan provinces.
Origins of the Xi Men Clan
The Xi Men surname has multiple origins:
- It originates from the Ji surname, stemming from a residence of a high-ranking official from the State of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn Period. According to the historical record "Tong Zhi·Shi Zu Lue," "A high-ranking official from Zheng lived in Xi Men and took the name of the place as his surname."
- It also originates from the Jiang surname, stemming from a residence of an official from the State of Qi during the Warring States Period.
- Another origin is related to the Ji surname, from a descendant of Xi Men Bao, an official of the State of Wei during the Warring States Period; the surname was derived from the name of the ancestor. This is recorded in "Xing Yuan."
- Yet another origin is from the Ji surname, stemming from a residence of Shi Hou, an official from the State of Wei during the Warring States Period; the surname was again derived from the name of the place.
Founding Ancestors of the Clan: Shi Hou and Xi Men Bao
Migration and Distribution
The Xi Men clan is a very ancient and multi-source surname. However, its total population does not rank among the top 300 surnames in mainland China, and it is not listed among the top 100 surnames in Taiwan Province. The prominent clans of this surname originated from Liang Jun and Wei Jun. The Xi Men surname is not among the top 100 surnames in either mainland China or Taiwan. As recorded in "Tong Zhi·Shi Zu Lue," "A high-ranking official from Zheng lived in Xi Men and took the name of the place as his surname," indicating that during the Spring and Autumn Period, an official from Zheng lived in Xi Men and adopted the name as his surname. This tradition has a history of over 2,000 years. At that time, the State of Zheng was located in the area surrounding present-day Shaanxi Province and Huaxian. The prominent clans were situated in Liang Jun (around present-day Shangqiu, Henan) and Wei Jun (established by Emperor Gaozu of Han, encompassing the areas between present-day Wei County in Hebei, Jun County in Henan, and Guan County in Shandong). Today, there are still a few members of the Xi Men clan scattered in Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, and other places.
Clan Halls:
- Liang Jun Hall: Established based on the historical significance of the region, also known as Liang Guo Hall.
- Wei Jun Hall: Established based on the historical significance of the region, also known as Linzhang Hall.