The Qian Clan#

Clan Name: Qian, pronounced as "qián"

Distribution of the Qian Clan#

• Pengcheng Commandery, Jiangsu (present-day Xuzhou City)
• Xiapi Commandery, Jiangsu (present-day northwestern Jiangsu)
• Wuxing Commandery, Zhejiang (present-day Yixing, Jiangsu)

Origin of the Qian Clan#

1. Derivation from Official Titles: The Qian surname originated from official titles. During the Zhou Dynasty, there was an official position called "Qianfu Shangshi" who was in charge of finance, and this title was later adopted as the clan name. It is said to be a descendant of Peng Zu, a great-grandson of the ancient emperor Zhuanxu. According to Zheng Qiao's "Tongzhi. Shizu Lue," the Qian clan was classified as one that derived its name from an official position.
2. Imperial Bestowal of Surnames: In ancient China, emperors would bestow surnames as a means to demonstrate imperial authority, reward loyal subjects, and unite the people. During the Five Dynasties, Qian Miao established the Wuyue Kingdom with Hangzhou as its capital, which lasted for 86 years. Many of his officials were granted the surname Qian. The "Song History: Wuyue Qian Family" states that Qian Miao bestowed the surname on his soldiers and officials, who then considered themselves members of the Qian clan. This practice of granting surnames is still seen among the indigenous tribes of Taiwan. For example, in the 23rd year of the Qianlong reign (1758), one of the seven indigenous tribes in Taiwan was granted the Qian surname for their loyalty to the Qing court.

Hall Names

• "Wuyue Hall": Qian Miao was the founder of the Wuyue Kingdom during the Five Dynasties. Although he was initially a minor general, his military skills led to the defeat of various rebel forces and the establishment of a stable kingdom. The emperor promoted him to the rank of "Zhenhai Jiedushi" for his military achievements.

Migration and Spread

• The origin of the Qian clan is not clearly documented before the Qin Dynasty. During the Qin and Han periods, the Qian clan began to grow in the Xu area of Jiangsu. By the Three Kingdoms period, it had spread throughout Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. By the Jin Dynasty, Jiangxi became another important stronghold for the Qian clan. By the Tang Dynasty, the Qian clan was present throughout the Central Plains and along the Yangtze River. The heyday of the Qian clan coincided with the Tang and Song dynasties, when Qian Luo established the Wuyue Kingdom in Hangzhou, which ruled for 86 years. After the Wuyue Kingdom surrendered to the Song Dynasty, the Qian clan continued to thrive, with many members serving in the Song government, particularly in the southeastern regions of China. During the Qing Dynasty, the Qian surname was also granted to some indigenous groups in Taiwan for their loyalty to the Qing court.

Notable Figures with the Qian Surname

• Qian Miao: A politician of the Five Dynasties who founded the Wuyue Kingdom and ruled from 907 to 932. He built coastal defenses along the Qiantang River, constructed water conservancy structures in the Taihu Lake basin, and established a system for maintaining these facilities, which benefited the local agriculture.
• Qian Qi: A renowned poet of the Tang Dynasty, known for his talent and literary achievements, and considered one of the "Ten Talents of the Dali Era."
• Qian Yi: A medical expert of the Northern Song Dynasty who improved the ancient celestial globe invented by Zhang Heng and created smaller versions of it.
• Qian Xuan: A historian and painter of the Southern Song Dynasty who was highly respected for his scholarship and artistic skills.
• Qian Hongzhi: A descendant of Qian Miao who ruled the Wuyue Kingdom and was later granted the title of King of Wuyue by the emperor.
• Qian Qianyan: A scholar and poet of the Northern Song Dynasty who held various official positions and was a prominent figure in the literary world.
• Qian Chenguang: A scholar from Zhejiang who made significant contributions to the study of history and literature.

Current Population and Status

• The current population of the Qian clan is nearly 2.2 million, ranking 96th in the country, accounting for about 0.18% of the total population. The Qian clan is most concentrated in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong, with significant populations in Henan, Sichuan, Anhui, and Jiangxi as well. Over the past 600 years, the Qian clan has mainly migrated from the north to the southeast and south of China.

Conclusion The Qian clan has a long and influential history in China, with its population growing steadily over the centuries. Its distribution has expanded across various regions, and it has played a significant role in Chinese history and culture.