The Li Family#

Family Name: Li (pronounced: lì)

Distribution of the Li Family#

The prominent Li clans were located in Xincai (now east of Gushi County, Henan Province). Xincai Commandery was established when Emperor Hui of the Jin Dynasty separated Ruyin Commandery into Xincai Commandery. This area corresponds to present-day Xincai County in Henan Province.

Origin of the Li Family Name#

The origin of the Li name can be traced to two sources:

1. The Li family descended from the Xuanyuan lineage, descendants of the Yellow Emperor, and took their ancestral state name as their surname. According to the "Yuanhe Xing Zuan," after the establishment of the Xia Dynasty, King Yu of Xia honored the descendants of the Yellow Emperor by granting them the territory of Liyi (now northeast of Neixiang, Henan Province), where they founded the state of Li. When the state of Li was later conquered, its rulers adopted the name of their former territory as their surname, which is the earliest origin of the Li family name.
2. The characters "Li," "Li," and "Li" are related, and some descendants of the Lishan lineage also adopted the Li surname.

Ancestor of the Li Family The ancestor of the Li family is Li Shang. The Li family is an ancient lineage descending from the Yellow Emperor. More than 4,000 years ago, King Yu of Xia granted a branch of the Yellow Emperor's descendants the territory of Li, and they took the name of the land as their surname. The Li family has a long history in the Central Plains region. According to the "Yuanhe Xing Zuan," Li Shang was from Gaoyang. The Li family is not only a descendant of the Yellow Emperor but also an ancient lineage. The prominent clans lived in Xincai Commandery, which is now east of Gushi County, Henan Province. Therefore, Li Shang is regarded as the ancestor of the Li family.

Migration and Distribution The Li family name does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. After King Yu established the Xia Dynasty, he honored the Yellow Emperor by granting his descendants the territory of Li, where they founded the state of Li. The descendants of the Li royal family adopted the name of the territory as their surname, which is the earliest origin of the Li family name. During the struggles between the Chu and Han dynasties, there was a man named Li Shiqi from Chenliu (southeast of Kaifeng, Henan), who was initially a minor official. For his role in capturing Chenliu, he was granted the title of Lord Guangye. Li Shiqi was a skilled diplomat who often traveled between the various states. Later, during the conflict with Qi, he was betrayed by Qi and was executed. Another notable member of the Li family was Li Daoyuan from the Later Wei dynasty, who was well-versed in literature and wrote the "Commentary on the Waterways Classic" in 40 volumes, as well as other works.

The Li family has thrived in Danyang, where they have lived for many generations. For example, Li Hong, in the 11th generation, had three sons: Lian, Xiang, and Xi, who settled in Dongcai Village, Lingkou. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, two descendants of Li Hong, Jialin and Jiafeng, set up a business by the Grand Canal. During a harsh winter, they encountered a scholar in need and provided him with assistance. They later returned to Danyang to search for their father's remains and settled in Zhujiji Village, Zhejiang. Their descendants continued to thrive in Danyang, and the Li family name has become widespread there.

Hall Names Common hall names for the Li family include "Guangye Hall" (named after Li Shiqi) and others such as "Zhu Jing Tang" and "Yong Si Tang."

Common Couplets for the Li Family Ancestral Hall

• Four-character couplets:
  • "Descended from Xincai; Originated from the state of Li." (Refering to the family's origin and historical lineage.)
  • "Wrote the 'Commentary on the Waterways Classic'; Granted the title of Lord Guangye." (Referring to Li Daoyuan and his contributions to geography.)
  • "Advised with wisdom; Established the state of Li." (Refering to Li Shiqi's role in establishing the state of Li.)
  • "Ruled with simplicity and integrity; His virtues set an example." (Refering to Li Daoyuan's governance.)

These couplets reflect the history and achievements of the Li family.