The Yan Surname#

Surname: Yan, pronounced as “yán”

Distribution of the Yan Surname#

• Ruan Nan Commandery: Established in the fourth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Western Han Dynasty (Wu Xu, 203 BCE), the administrative center was located in Shang Cai (present-day Shang Cai, Henan). At that time, its jurisdiction included the area between the Ying River and Huai River in Henan, to the east of the Jingguang Railway, to the west of the Ci River and Xi Fei River in Anhui, and to the north of the Huai River. This region encompassed Yan Cheng County, Shang Cai County, Ping Yu County, and Xiang Cheng County, with the administrative center in Shang Cai (present-day Shang Cai, Henan).
• Wu Commandery: Established in the fourth year of the Yong Jian era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (Ji Si, 129 CE), when the Wu Commandery was split off from the Kuai Ji Commandery. The administrative center was in Wu County (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). The jurisdiction covered both banks of the Qiantang River below Jian De, including present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang.

Origins of the Yan Surname#

The Yan surname has the following origins:

1. Derived from the Ji surname, stemming from Yan Yan of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period. This is an example of a surname based on the name of an ancestor.
2. Also derived from the Ji surname, from Han Huan Shu of the State of Han. This case involves the simplification of a compound surname.
3. Originated from the Mongolian ethnic group, as a result of sinicization and name changes.

Ancestors of the Yan Surname

The ancestors of the Yan surname are Yan Yan and Han Huan Shu. During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius had three thousand disciples, one of whom, named Yan Yan (also known as Zi You), was particularly outstanding. Later scholars confirmed that Yan Yan is the founder of the Yan surname. According to the ancient book “Wan Xing Tong Pu,” Yan Yan was from the Wu region (southern China) over 2,500 years ago. His descendants adopted the character “Yan” from his name as their surname.

Migration and Distribution

The Yan surname is an ancient one with multiple origins and involving various ethnic groups. However, its population does not rank among the top 300 surnames in mainland China. In Taiwan Province, it ranks 624th. Prominent Yan families are found in Ruan Nan Commandery and Wu Commandery. Neither the mainland China nor Taiwan lists the Yan surname among the top 100 surnames. During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius taught many students, including the outstanding Yan Yan. According to “Wan Xing Tong Pu,” Yan Yan was from the Wu region, making the Yan surname likely associated with nobility from that area. Yan Yan traveled from the south to the central plains to pursue education, which is a commendable gesture. Another branch of the Yan surname emerged during the Warring States period from the royal family of the State of Han. The Yan clan has a long history, with its roots in Ruan Nan Commandery (established by Emperor Gaozu of Han, located in central and southern Henan and north of the Huai River in Anhui) and Wu Commandery (split off from Kuai Ji Commandery during the Eastern Han Dynasty, with the administrative center in Wu County, present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu).

Hall Names (Tang Hao)

• Ruan Nan Hall: Named after the prominent lineage in Ruan Nan Commandery.
• Wu Commandery Hall: Named after the prominent lineage in Wu Commandery.

Notable People with the Yan Surname

• Yan Yan (Zi You): Born in the 14th to 26th year of King Jing of Zhou (443 BCE). Later generations referred to him as “Yan Zi” out of respect. Yan Yan studied under Confucius in the State of Lu. Since Yan Yan was 45 years younger than Confucius, he was likely one of Confucius’ later disciples. Among Confucius’ three thousand disciples, Yan Yan was one of the seventy-two sages.