Han Surname#

Surname: Han, pronounced as “hán”.

Distribution of the Han Surname#

Yu Zhang County, Jiangxi Province.

Origins of the Han Surname#

The origin of the “Han” surname can be traced to the following sources:

1. From the “Ji” surname: The surname was derived from a particular place name. According to “Tongzhi. Shizhu Lue”, King Cheng of Zhou granted his uncle, Shu Yu, the fief of Tang Yi (Yicheng, Shanxi). Shu Yu’s son, Xie, succeeded to the throne and became the Marquis of Jin. Xie’s grandson, Bi Wan, was granted the fief of Han Yuan (?Xihan City), and from him the Han clan originated.
2. From a state name: During the Warring States period, one of the seven powerful states was Han. After the division of Jin among several families, Bi Wan was recognized as a vassal by King Weile of Zhou and established his capital in Yang Dai (present-day Xinzheng, Henan). In 230 BCE, Han was conquered by Qin, and some of its people adopted the “Han” surname.
3. From a historical figure: According to “Wei Shu. Guan Shi Zhi”, during the Northern Wei dynasty, there was a family with the three-character surname “Chu Da Han”, which was later simplified to the single character “Han”.
4. Descendants of Tang Shu Yu: Tang Shu Yu was the brother of King Cheng of Zhou. His son, the Marquis of Jin, had descendants who adopted “Han” as their surname.
5. From a personal name: According to legend, during ancient times, the Yellow Emperor had a son named Chang Yi, who in turn had a son named Han Liu. Han Liu became an immortal during the reign of Yao, and from him the Han surname originated.

Hall Names (Tang Hao)

• “Qi Zhang Tang”: During the Han dynasty, Han Boyu was extremely filial. Once he offended his mother, who struck him with a walking stick. His tears streamed down like rain. Surprised, his mother asked, “In the past, you welcomed my punishment with joy; why are you crying today?” Boyu burst into tears and said, “In the past, I felt the pain because I knew you were strong and healthy. Today, I feel no pain because I know your strength has weakened.”
• “Chang Li Tang”: Han Yu, a great literary figure of the Tang dynasty from Changli, Hebei, dedicated his life to the revival of classical Chinese prose. He opposed the ornate but insular style of prose from the Qin and Han periods.
• Other hall names include “Ying Chuan” and “Nanyang”.

Notable People with the Han Surname

• Han Fei: (??–234 BCE): A nobleman of the state of Han during the Warring States period. He studied legalism and believed in the teachings of Laozi and Huangdi. Although he had a speech disorder that prevented him from speaking fluently, he wrote more than fifty works, known as “Han Feizi”. His writings were rigorous and profound, representing the pinnacle of Legalism. When the Qin army attacked Han, Han Fei was sent as an envoy but was framed by Li Si and executed.
• Han Xin: (??–196 BCE): From Huaiyin, he endured humiliation in his youth and later helped Emperor Gaozu of Han to conquer Wei, Zhao, and defeat Qi. He was granted the title of King of Qi but was later executed by Empress Lü.
• Han Yu: (768–824): A scholar from Heyang, Tang dynasty. Well-versed in various texts, he promoted Confucianism over Buddhism and Taoism. His writings became a model for later classical Chinese writers. He served as the Deputy Minister of Personnel. His descendants called themselves “Chang Li Han Yu” due to his ancestral home in Changli. His poems and essays were compiled in the “Chang Li Xiansheng Ji”.
• Han Xiangzi: Nephew of Han Yu, known for his unrestrained nature and interest in alchemy. He was said to have made peonies bloom in different colors during early winter and made plants bloom instantly. Sometimes referred to as “Han Xiang”.
• Han Shizhong: (1089–1151): From Yan'an, Song dynasty. He suppressed rebellions and defeated the Jin army under Emperor Gaozong. Later, due to political intrigues, he retired to the West Lake and lived as a hermit. He was posthumously granted the title of King of Qi.

The Han surname has a rich historical and cultural heritage, with various hall names reflecting the clan’s values and achievements.