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yánSeptember 28, 2025

闫姓

The Yan surname, pronounced "yán", has ancient origins from the Ji clan, King Kang of Zhou, and Tang Shuyu, with key branches historically distributed in the Tianshui, Henan, and Taiyuan commanderies.

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Yan Family Name

Origin of the Yan Family Name: The pronunciation of the Yan family name is "yán".

Distribution of the Yan Family Name

  • Tianshui Commandery: Established in the third year of the Yuanding era of the Western Han dynasty. This branch of the Yan family likely descended from the descendants of King Kang of Zhou.
  • Henan Commandery: Reorganized from the Qin dynasty's Sanchuan Commandery in the second year of the reign of Emperor Gao of Han. This branch of the Yan family is believed to be descended from Tang Shuyu.
  • Taiyuan Commandery: Established in the fourth year of the Zhuangxiang era of the Qin dynasty during the Warring States period. This branch of the Yan family also descended from Tang Shuyu.

Origins of the Yan Family Name

The Yan family name has multiple origins:

  1. Descended from the Ji Clan: The Yan family name originated from the Ji clan, a descendant of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor) through Houji. According to historical records, Houji inherited the Ji surname and was revered as the progenitor of this line. Houji had three sons: Taibo, Zhongyong, and Jili. During the reign of King Wu of Zhou, Jili's great-grandson, Zhongyi, was granted the fief of Yanxiang (present-day Anyi, Shanxi Province). His descendants adopted Yanxiang as their surname.
  2. Descended from King Kang of Zhou: Some members of the Yan family also descended from King Kang of Zhou and adopted the fief name as their surname.
  3. Descended from Tang Shuyu: Another branch of the Yan family descended from Tang Shuyu and also took the fief name as their surname.

Today, the Yan family name is often simplified to "Yan". There are several theories about its origin:

  • From the Ji Clan: The Yan family name originated from the Ji clan, a descendant of Huangdi through Houji, who was granted the fief of Yanxiang.
  • From King Kang of Zhou: Some members of the Yan family descended from King Kang of Zhou and adopted the fief name as their surname.
  • From Tang Shuyu: Another branch of the Yan family descended from Tang Shuyu and also took the fief name as their surname.

The Yan family name has a long history and has spread across various regions of China.