The Xianyu Clan#

Clan Name: Xianyu, pronounced as “xiān yú”

Distribution of the Xianyu Clan#

• Yuyang Commandery: The Yuyang County was established during the Qin Dynasty; its territory corresponded to the area southwest of present-day Miyun, Beijing.
• Taiyuan Prefecture: Also known as Taiyuan Commandery. This commandery was founded in the fourth year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin (246 BCE) during the Warring States period, with its administrative center in Jinyang (present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi). Its jurisdiction included the southern parts of Wutai Mountains and Guancen Mountains, as well as the northern part of Huo Mountain.

Origins of the Xianyu Clan#

The Xianyu surname originated from:

1. Descendants of the royal family of the Shang Dynasty, specifically Zhong, a branch of the Ji Zi lineage. This surname was formed by combining the names of a state and a fiefdom.
2. Members of the Chile ethnic group who adopted Han Chinese customs and changed their surnames.

Ancestor of the Clan Ji Zi is considered the progenitor of the Xianyu clan. According to the “Choson Pu · Taiyuan Pu,” King Zhou of Shang had an uncle named Xu Yu, who was granted the fiefdom of Ji (located east of present-day Taigu County, Shanxi Province), hence the name Ji Zi. Shortly after King Zhou ascended the throne, Ji Zi observed that his nephew was using ivory chopsticks and remarked, “If one uses ivory chopsticks, one will eventually seek out jade cups and other rare treasures, marking the beginning of luxury and indulgence. Once a ruler indulges in such pleasures, how can the state prosper?” King Zhou became increasingly tyrannical and cruel. Despite Ji Zi’s repeated admonitions, he was eventually imprisoned. After King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty, he released Ji Zi and consulted him on how to win the support of the people. Ji Zi advised the implementation of benevolent governance and the use of reconciliation to win hearts. King Wu offered Ji Zi an official position, but Ji Zi refused to serve the Zhou Dynasty and instead went to Liaodong, where he founded the state of Choson. One of Ji Zi’s descendants, named Zhong, combined the names of his state (“Xian”) and his fiefdom (“Yu”) to create the surname Xianyu.

Migration and Distribution The Xianyu clan has not made it into the top 300 surnames in mainland China or Taiwan Province. However, in the Song Dynasty version of the “Hundred Family Surnames,” it was ranked 436th, and among multiple surnames, it was 29th. The ancestors of the Xianyu clan were Ji Zi, who was a uncle of King Zhou of Shang and a descendant of the ancient sage King Tang of Shang. After King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang Dynasty, he admired Ji Zi’s wisdom and consulted him on state affairs. Ji Zi wrote the famous “Hong Fan” chapter in the “Book of Documents,” discussing the principles of heaven and earth. Although Ji Zi refused to serve the Zhou Dynasty, he was granted a fiefdom in Liaodong and established the state of Choson. His descendant Zhong combined the names of his state (“Xian”) and his fiefdom (“Yu”) to form the surname Xianyu.

Clan Halls The Xianyu clan’s hall names are “Taiyuan Hall” and “Yuyang Hall.” Since returning to China from Choson, the clan has made Yuyang Commandery (the area east of present-day Beijing, north of Tianjin, south of the Great Wall, and west of Zunhua County) its center of expansion, and the “Yuyang Hall” has been used as the clan hall name to this day.

Genealogical Patterns The generational naming patterns of the Xianyu clan include:

• Sichuan Nanchong Xianyu: “Chao Zhong Jia Xue Shi Wen Yuan Ke Zhao Ting Zhong Qi Ji Xian Dai Chang Huai Zun Guo Zhong Shu De Zhao Pi Xu Xuan Cai Ying Jia Sheng.”
• Sichuan Southern and Guangdong Guangzhou Xianyu: “Xian Shi Wen Yuan Xue Ru Zong Xuan Ying Hong Jin Si Chou Fan Yi Yong Shao Da Yun Dong.”
• Chongqing Nanchuan Xianyu: “An Ding Si Shan Cun Tian Dao Chuan Jia Xiao Zu Neng Liang Chong Wei Wan Mian (Xi) Da Xi (Kai) Qi Shi (Ying).”
• Hubei Yidu Xianyu: “Zheng Da Guang Ming Jing Kai Wen Yun Yong Shi Qi Chang.”

Notable Figures with the Xianyu Surname

• Xian Yu Tian: A renowned scientist of the Song Dynasty who could recite a thousand characters daily at a young age, showing exceptional talent. He was well-versed in astronomy, calendrics, geography, and various practical arts.
• Xian Yu Shu: A person from Dadu (present-day Beijing) during the Yuan Dynasty; also said to have been from Yuyang (present-day Jixian, Hebei Province). His courtesy name was Bo Ji (1257–1302), and he was also known by other names such as Kun Xue Shan Min and Zhi Ji Lao Ren. His works include “Zhen Shu Qian Wen,” “Laozi Daode Jing Juan Shang,” “Su Shi Haitang Shi Juan,” and “Han Yu Jin Xue Jie.”