Origin and popularity of the name CHEN

Origin

Chen : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 陳 meaning ‘to explain’ and ‘old’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Chen (陳) the name of a state (located mainly in present-day Henan and Anhui provinces) granted to Hu Gong Man (Duke Hu of Chen reigned 1045–986 BC). His descendants acquired 陳 the name of the state as their surname. (ii) from the surname Hou Mo Chen (侯莫陳) borne by people from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China. They adopted the surname 陳 after they moved to Luoyang (in present-day Henan province) during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Mandarin form of the surname 諶 meaning ‘believe’ or ‘honestly’ in ancient Chinese: from the second element of the personal name Bi Chen (裨諶) an official in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: alternative Mandarin form of the surname 甄 see Zhen.4: variant Romanization of the surnames 程 and 成 see Cheng 1 and 2.5: variant Romanization of the surname 鄭 see Zheng 1.6: variant Romanization of the surname 曾 see Zeng.7: variant Romanization of the surname 岑 see Cen.8: variant Romanization of the surname 莊 see Zhuang.

Fu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 傅 meaning ‘master’ or ‘teacher’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Yue (傅說)(died c. 1246 BC) a prime minister during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) who is said to have lived in a place called Fu Yan (傅岩) possibly located in Shanxi province. (ii) from the placename Fu (傅) the name of a fief (located in present-day Shandong province) which was granted to Da You during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).2: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 付 meaning ‘commit’ or ‘pay’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Shi Fu (史付) a person who lived in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) simplified form of the Chinese surname 傅; see 1 above.3: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 符 meaning ‘tally’ in ancient Chinese: from the post name Fu Xi Ling (符璽令) hosted by Gong Ya a grandson of the Duke Qing of Lu (ruler of the state of Lu died 249 BC) who later migrated to the state of Qin. This was a post held by the man in charge of the tally given by a ruler to a general to deploy troops or to an envoy as his credentials.4: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 扶 meaning ‘help support’ in Chinese: (i) said to be a shortened form of the compound Chinese surname Fu Deng (扶登) dating back to the reign of Xia Yu the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) borne by descendants of Fu Jia (扶嘉) who was endowed with the surname Fu (扶) by the Emperor Gaozu of Han (256–195 BC) because of his support to the royal family of the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). (iii) adopted as the surname by the Qi Fu (乞扶) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).5: Mandarin form of the surname 伏 meaning ‘dog days’ or ‘subdue’ in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Xi (伏羲) a legendary figure prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Fu Bu Qi (伏不齊 also written 宓不齊) a student of Confucius (551–479 BC). (iii) adopted as a surname by the Si Fu Jin (俟伏斤) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).6: Mandarin form of the surname 福 meaning ‘good fortune’ or ‘blessing’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Fu Zi Dan (福子丹) an official in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) a surname from the state of Bai Ji (located in the Korean peninsula). (iii) borne by descendants of Fu Shi (福時) an official who lived during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD).7: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 富 meaning ‘rich’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Fu Chen (富辰) (died around 636 BC) an official who lived during the reign of King Xiang of Zhou (died 619 BC). (ii) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Fu-Fu (富父) which is traced back to Fu-Fu Zhong Sheng (富父終甥) an official who lived in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).8: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 甫 a courtesy name for a man in ancient Chinese: (i) simplified form of Fu (郙) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province). (ii) from Fu (甫) the name of a state also known as the state of Lü (located in Henan province) annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Huang-Fu (皇甫) traced back to the personal name of a son of Duke Dai of Song (ruler of the state of Song reigned 799–766 BC).9: Mandarin form of the surname 宓 (also pronounced as Mi in Mandarin Chinese) see Mi 2.10: Hakka form of the surname 胡. Also Cantonese form of the surname 扈. See Hu 1 and 2.

Guan : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 關 meaning ‘forts’ in ancient Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Guan Long Feng (關龍逢) an official who lived during the reign of Xia Jie the last king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the first element of the post name Guan Ling Yin (關令尹) or Guan Yin (關尹) said to have been held by a man called Xi who was in charge of garrisoning forts during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 管 meaning ‘manage administer’ in Chinese: (i) from Guan (管) the name of a state (located in Zhengzhou in Henan province) which was granted to Guan Shu Xian (管叔鮮) the third son of the virtuous King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). Guan Shu Xian was later killed because he participated in a rebellion against the king. The name of state was subsequently adopted as a surname. (ii) borne by descendants of Guan Zhong (管仲) also called Guan Yiwu (管夷吾) a famous politician in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 官 meaning ‘official’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the post name Guan Shi (官師) head of officials hosted by Duke Ding of Liu an official during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) borne by the Guan Zu (官族) i.e. descendants of those officials who had made such great contributions to the state that their granted fiefs and titles would be kept forever.4: Mandarin form of the surname 灌 meaning 'irrigate' in Chinese: from the second element of Chen Guan (斟灌) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Shangdong province) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).5: variant Romanization of the surname 阮 see Ruan 3.6: Teochew or Hokkien form of the surname 顏 see Yan 4.7: variant Romanization of the surname 袁 see Yuan 1.

Heng : 1: Cambodian: written ហេង from a Khmer word meaning e.g. ‘successful’ which is of Chinese origin. ហេង is also the Khmer spelling of a Chinese surname most likely 幸 which has similar meaning (see Xing 3 compare 4 below).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 衡 meaning ‘balance’ in Chinese: (i) from E Heng (阿衡) an honorary official title of Yi Yin (died c. 1549 BC) prime minister during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from the second element of the personal name Zi Heng (子衡) style name of a prince of the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) borne by the descendants of the royal families in the state of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) adopted as a new surname by the descendants of Yuan Shao (died 202 AD) a famous general who was defeated by Cao Cao (155–220 AD). Some of his descendants later fled to Mount Heng (衡山) (located in Hunan province) and adopted the name of the mountain as their new surname.3: Chinese: Teochew form of the surname 王 see Wang 1. The dialect is found in eastern Guangdong province from where people migrated to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand Singapore and Malaysia.4: Chinese: Hokkien Taiwanese and Teochew form of the surnames 邢 and 幸 see Xing 1 and 3.5: German: from a short form of the personal name Heinrich. Compare Henk.

Hu : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 胡 a term referring to the ethnic minorities in ancient northern and western China: (i) from Hu (胡) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Henan province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Zheng (located in present-day Shaanxi and Henan provinces) in the 26th year of the reign of King Ping of Zhou (died 720 BC) people from the fief adopted 胡 the name of the state as their surname. (ii) from Hu (胡) the name of a state (located in present-day Anhui province). After it was annexed by the state of Chu in the 15th year of the reign of Duke Ding of Lu (ruler of the state of Lu reigned 509–495 BC) people from the fief adopted 胡 the name of the state as their surname. (iii) from the personal name of Hu Gong Man (胡公满 Duke Hu of Chen) the posthumous title of Yu Man. He was given the fief of Chen (located mainly in present-day Henan and Anhui province) by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). (iv) from the personal name of Hu Guang (胡廣) who changed his original surname 黃 to 胡 during the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD). (v) from the Hu Gu (胡骨) or He Gu (纥骨) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China who changed their surname to 胡 during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 扈 meaning ‘retinue’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Hu (扈) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Shaanxi province) dating back to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) (ii) adopted as a surname by the Hu Di Gan (扈地干) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 呼 meaning ‘exhale’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by the descendants of Hu Zixian (呼子先) an astrologist during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). (ii) shortened form of the compound surname Hu-Yan (呼延) a surname from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China. (iii) a surname from other minority ethnic groups in northern China.4: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 虎 meaning ‘tiger’ in Chinese: (i) said to be from the second element of the personal name Bo Hu (伯虎) a legendary talented figure during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC); (ii) possibly from totems of some tribes.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 傅 付 符 and 扶 possibly based on their Teochew or Hokkien pronunciations see Fu 1-4.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 許 possibly based on its Teochew or Hokkien pronunciation see Xu 2.7: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surnames 邱 and 丘 see Qiu 1 and 2.8: In some cases also Amerindian (Mexico): variant of Huh ‘iguana’.9: In some cases also Amerindian (Guatemala; Hú): probably a cognate of the name in 8 above.10: In some cases possibly also French: nickname from Old French hu ‘outcry noise’.

Ji : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 紀 meaning ‘record’ or ‘era’ in Chinese: (i) from Ji (紀) the name of an ancient state (located in Shouguang in Shandong province) granted to descendants of the legendary Yan Di the Yan Emperor. After the state was annexed by the state of Qi in 550 BC the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Shu (舒) during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD).2: Mandarin form of the surname 季 meaning ‘youngest son’ in ancient Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Ji Lian (季連) the youngest son of Lu Zhong a descendant of the legendary king Zhuanxu (traditional dates: 2514–2437 BC). (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Ji You (季友) the youngest son of the Duke Huan of Lu (the 15th ruler of the state of Lu died 694 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 冀 meaning ‘hope’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Ji (冀) the name of an ancient state (located in Shanxi province). After it was annexed by the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) from the placename Ji (冀) the name of a fief (located in Shanxi province) granted to Xi Rui an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 姬 a complimentary term for ‘women’ in ancient Chinese: said to be the original surname of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) perhaps from the name of a river called Ji Shui (姬水). This was also the surname of the royal family of the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) and the Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BC).5: Mandarin form of the surname 籍 meaning ‘books’ in ancient Chinese borne by the descendants of Bo Yan an official in charge of classical books and historical records in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Mandarin form of the surname 嵇: (i) from the placename Ji (嵇) the name of a hill (located in Anhui province) where people with other surnames Kuai-Ji (會稽) or Xi (奚) migrated and adopted the name of the hill as the surname. (ii) adopted as a surname by the Tong Ji (統稽) and the He Xi (紇奚) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).7: Mandarin form of the surname 吉 meaning ‘lucky’ in Chinese: (i) simplified form of the Chinese surname Ji (姞) originally the surname conferred on Bo Shu who was said to be a descendant of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) and granted with the fief Southern Yan (located in Henan province). (ii) from part of the personal name of Yin Ji Fu (尹吉甫) an official during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC).8: Mandarin form of the surname 計 meaning ‘calculate’ in Chinese: (i) possibly from Ji (計) the name of an ancient state (located in Shandong province) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) possibly from the placename Ji Jin (計斤) the original capital (located in Shandong province) of the state of Ju during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC).9: Mandarin form of the surname 薊 denoting a kind of thistle in Chinese: from the placename Ji (薊) (located in present-day Beijing).10: Mandarin form of the surname 暨 meaning ‘and’ or ‘as well as’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Ji (暨) the name of a fief (thought to have been located in Jiangsu province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Gai (概) in order to escape from feud and persecution.11: Mandarin form of the surname 汲 meaning ‘sap draw water’ in Chinese: (i) from Ji (汲) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Henan province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) which was annexed by the state of Wey and became a fief granted to the crown prince of Duke Xuan of Wey (ruler of the state of Wey died 700 BC). The name of the state (fief) was then adopted as a surname by the residents. (ii) from the placename Ji (汲) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) in the state of Qi granted to the descendants of Duke Xuan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 301 BC). (iii) said to be borne by the descendants of the royal families in the state of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) a surname from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China.

Jing : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 景 meaning ‘scenery’ or ‘revere’ in Chinese: (i) in some families the surname is borne by descendants of nobles in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Jing (景) posthumous title of Duke Jing of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 490 BC). (iii) from Jing Qing (景清) an official in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD) who changed his original surname 耿 (Geng) to 景.2: Mandarin form of the surname 荊 a word meaning ‘brambles’: from Jing (荊) the original name of the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 井 referring to a ‘well’ in Chinese: from the personal name Jing Bo (井伯) the name of an official in the state of Yu (located in Shanxi province) during the Warring States Period (475–221 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 敬 meaning ‘respect’ in Chinese: (i) from Jing (敬) posthumous title of a son of Duke Li of Chen (ruler of the state of Chen died 700 BC). (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Jing Kang (敬康) a grandson of the legendary emperor Huang Di ‘the Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (iii) borne by descendants of Gou Hua Nan an official during the Qing dynasty (1616–1911 AD) who was endowed with the surname Jing (敬).5: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 靖 meaning ‘peaceful’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Jing Guo (靖郭) the conferred title of Tian Ying known as Jing Guo Jun (靖郭君 Lord Jing Guo) son of King Wei of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi 378 - 320 BC). (ii) from Jing (靖) posthumous title of Shan Jing Gong (单靖公 Duke Jing of Shan) ruler of the state of Shan during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).6: Mandarin form of the surname 經 meaning ‘warp (textile)’ in Chinese: (i) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Jing (京) by the descendants of Jing Fang (京房) (77–37 BC) a famous scholar during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC – 25 AD) who was persecuted and imprisoned for his unwelcome political proposals. His descendants thus changed the surname to Jing (經) in order to escape from persecution. (ii) traced back to Jing Hou (經侯 ‘Marquis Jing’) an official in the state of Wei during Warring States Period (475– 221 BC).7: variant Romanization of the surname 金 see Jin 1.8: variant Romanization of the surname 鄭 see Zheng 1.9: variant Romanization of the surname 曾 see Zeng.

Ken : 1: English: habitational name from either of two places called Kenn in Devon and Avon (Somerset) both of which take their name from the streams on which they stand.2: English (of Norman origin): from Anglo-Norman French ken chen Old French chien ‘dog’ (from Latin canis) possibly applied as a nickname or as a metonymic occupational name for someone who kept hunting dogs.4: In some cases possibly also an Americanized form of German Kenn.3: Scottish: possibly a shortened form of Kenna.

Kong : 1: Korean: there are two Chinese characters for the surname Kong. One of these is borne by only one clan the other by two clans. One of the Kong clans claims Confucius as its ancestor the 53rd ancestor of Confucius having migrated from his home in China to Koryŏ and settled in Ch’angwŏn where his grave can still be seen today. The other two Kong clans the Kimhae Kong and the Munch’ŏn Kong clans both sprang from descendants of a famous T’ang Chinese scholar Kong Yun-po. A man named Kong Myŏng-nye founded the Kimhae Kong clan when he was exiled to Kimhae during the reign of Chosŏn King Sŏngjong in the latter half of the fifteenth century. The founder of the Munch’ŏn Kong clan Kong Chin-ŏn was banished to Munchŏn in Hamgyŏng province during the reign of Chosŏn King Sejong during the first half of the fifteenth century.2: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 孔 meaning ‘hole’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Kong Fu (孔父) style name of Kong Fu Jia (孔父嘉) an official in the state of Song who was murdered in 710 BC. His son then fled to the state of Lu and inherited 孔 as his surname. The philosopher Confucius (551–479 BC) was one of his descendants. (ii) from the first element of the personal name Kong Kui (孔悝) style name of an official in the state of Wey (衛) (located mainly around present-day Hebi and Xinxiang in Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the first element of the personal name Kong Ning (孔寧) style name of an official in the state of Chen (mainly in present-day eastern Henan province and northwestern Haozhou in Anhui province) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). (iv) from the second element of the personal name Zi Kong (子孔) style name of a prince from the state of Zheng (located in part of present-day Shaanxi and Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC).3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 江 see Jiang 1.4: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 龔 鞏 宮 公 弓 貢 and 恭 see Gong 1-7.5: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 鄺 see Kuang 1.6: Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 康 based on its Hakka pronunciation see Kang 1.7: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 亢 see Kang 2.8: Cambodian: written គង់ from a Khmer word meaning e.g. ‘(to be) invulnerable’.9: Cambodian: written កង same as Kang 9.10: Southeast Asian (Hmong): from the name of the Kong clan of the Hmong people in Laos China and Vietnam; in Chinese characters it is written 龔 or 鞏 (see Gong 1 and 2).11: Danish: nickname from kong ‘king’ or an occupational name for someone in the service of the king.

Man : 6: Flemish and Dutch (also De Man): from Middle Dutch man ‘man husband vassal’ (compare Mann).7: English: variant of Mann.8: French: from the ancient Germanic personal name Manno (see Mann 2).9: Jewish (Ashkenazic): from the personal name Man based on a Yiddish word meaning ‘man’.1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 滿 meaning ‘full’ in Chinese: from Man (滿) style name of Hu Gong Man (died 986 BC) also known as the Duke Hu of Chen founder of the state of Chen (located in Henan province) who was the shared ancestor of people with the surnames 陳 胡 田 and 車.2: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 萬 see Wan 1.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 文 and 聞 see Wen 2 and 3.4: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 閔 see Min 1.5: Vietnamese (Mẫn): from the Chinese surname 閔 see Min 1.

Qiu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 邱. This was adopted in place of the Chinese surname 丘 (see 2 below) after the Western Han dynasty (206 BC - 25 AD) particularly during the reign of the emperor Yong Zheng (1678–1735 AD) in the Qing dynasty (1616 – 1911 AD) who out of respect for Confucius (551–479 BC) ordered people with the surname 丘 to change to the surname 邱 because the original surname 丘 happened to be the personal name of Confucius.2: Mandarin form of the surname 丘 meaning ‘mound knoll’ in Chinese: (i) from the second element of the placename Ying Qiu (營丘) (located in Shandong province) the capital of the state of Qi when the state was established by Jiang Tai Gong or Jiang Ziya (c. 11th century BC). (ii) traced back to the Qiu (丘) family in the Wu Huan ethnic group which originated in Inner Mongolia. (iii) adopted as a surname by the Qiu Dun (丘敦) and the Qiu Lin (丘林) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iv) from the second element of the placename Wan Qiu (宛丘) a city in the state of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) said to be traced back to Zuo Qiu Ming (左丘明) a famous historian in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (vi) said to be traced back to Qiu Ruo (丘弱) an official in the state of Zhu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 仇 meaning ‘companion’ or ‘spouse’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Qiu Mu (仇牧) personal name of an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Hou (侯) by Qiu Luo Qi (仇洛奇) during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).4: Mandarin form of the surname 裘 meaning 'clothes made of fur’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Qiu (裘) the name of a fief (thought to be located in Henan or Hebei province) granted to an official in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Qiu (裘) the title of an official in charge of making furs during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) in some cases 裘 was adopted in place of the Chinese surname 仇 (see 3 above) in order to escape from persecution.5: Mandarin form of the surname 秋 meaning ‘autumn’ in Chinese: (i) from Si Qiu (司秋) the name of a god in charge of autumn who according to legend was a descendant of the legendary king Shao Hao (c. 26th century BC). (ii) from Qiu Hu (秋胡) a person originating in the state of Lu who simplified the Chinese character 湫 part of his grandfather's personal name to Qiu (秋) and adopted it as a surname. (iii) possibly from Qiu (秋) or Qiu Guan (秋官) also called Si Kou the name of an official post during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) in charge of criminal investigation and punishment.

Si : 1: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 司 meaning ‘take charge’ or ‘department’ in Chinese: (i) borne by descendants of Si Chen (司臣) an official who lived in the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) shortened form of several Chinese compound surnames including Si-Ma (司馬) Si-Kou (司寇) Si-Tu (司徒) Si-Cheng (司城) most of which were originally names of official posts in ancient China.2: Chinese: Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 斯 meaning ‘this’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the first element of the placename Si Guan (斯觀) where Xia Jie last king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) hid. (ii) adopted in place of the surname Shi (史) by an official named Shi Hao in order to avoid persecution during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD). (iii) traced back to minority ethnic groups in ancient southern China.3: Chinese: Cantonese form of the surnames 史 施 師 and 時. See Shi (2–5).4: Vietnamese: variant of the Chinese surname 郗 see Xi 5. Compare Hy.

Tian : 1: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 田 meaning ‘farmlands’ in Chinese: (i) perhaps from the placename Tian (田) (which has a similar pronunciation to that of the Chinese character 陳 in the dialects of the state of Qi) the name of a fief in the state of Qi granted to Chen Wan (陳完) a prince in the state of Chen who fled to the state of Qi in order to escape persecution. (ii) possibly from the post name of an official in charge of the management of farmlands dating back to the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the Chinese surname Huang (黃) by the son of an official called Huang Zi Cheng during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD) in order to escape persecution.2: Vietnamese: variant of Tien.

Xia : Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 夏 meaning ‘summer’ in Chinese: (i) borne by some descendants of royal families from Xia (夏) the name of a Chinese dynasty (2070–1600 BC). In some cases it is a shortened form of the compound surname Xia-Hou (夏侯). (ii) from the second element of the personal name Zi Xia (子夏) style name of Zi Xi son of the Duke Xuan of Chen (ruler of the state of Chen died 648 BC). (iii) from the first element of the personal name Xia Wu (夏戊) personal name of the nephew of an official in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).

Xu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 徐 meaning ‘gradually slowly’ in Chinese: (i) from Xu (徐) the name of a state (covering present-day Jiangsu and Anhui province) originally granted to Ruo Mu son of an official called Bo Yi during the reign of Xia Yu the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). The state was destroyed by the state of Chu during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) but later restored and eventually annexed by the state of Wu in 512 BC. After its annihilation the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) borne by the descendants of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). The Xu family was one of the six clans of the Shang dynasty that were sent to the state of Lu after the annihilation of the Shang dynasty. (iii) surname borne by descendants of Xu Zhi Gao (徐知誥) an alternative name of Li Sheng the founder of the state of Southern Tang (937–975 AD). (iv) a surname of the Xu (徐) family from the Di ethnic group in northern China.2: Mandarin form of the surname 許 meaning ‘promise agree’ or ‘location’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Xu (許) the name of a small state (originally located in Xuchang in Henan province) granted to Wen Shu by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Chu during the early Warring States period (475–221 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname. (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Xu You (許由) a talent who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC).3: Mandarin form of the surname 胥 meaning ‘inspect’ or referring to a ‘petty official’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Xu Chen (胥臣) style name of an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) said to be traced back to He Xu Shi (赫胥氏) who was said to be the legendary Yan Di or the Yan Emperor.4: Mandarin form of the surname 續 meaning ‘continue’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Xu Ya (續牙) a friend of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (ii) from the placename Xu (續) the name of a fief (located in Shanxi province) granted to Hu Juju also known as Xu Jian Bo (續簡伯 'Earl Jian of Xu' died 621 BC) a senior official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).5: Mandarin form of the surname 須 meaning ‘beard’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of Xu Qu (須胊 or 須句) the name of an ancient state (located in Xucheng in Shandong province) annexed by the state of Zhu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from Xu (須) the name of an ancient state (located in Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the second element of Mi Xu (密須) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Gansu province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iv) a surname from the Yue ethnic group in ancient southern China.

Yi : 1: Korean: written 이 in Chinese characters 李 meaning ‘plum’. There are actually three Chinese characters for the surname Yi but two of the three are quite rare and one of these is not found outside North Korea. This is the second most common surname in Korea comprising c. 16 percent of the total population. It is found in every part of the country. Although some sources indicate that there are as many as 546 different Yi clans only c. 100 have been documented. The founder of the oldest clan the Kyŏngju Yi was named Yi Al-p’yŏng (李 謁平) and lived in AD 32. He was one of the six original governors of pre-Shilla Korea. Aside from a few other Yi families that originated from the Kyŏngju Yi clan most of the other 100 or so clans were formed at the end of the Koryŏ or beginning of the Chosŏn periods. Some Korean Yi families trace their origins back to China. The founder of the Chosŏn Kingdom or Yi Dynasty Yi Sŏng-gye (李 成桂) was a member of the Yi clan from Chŏnju. This clan ruled the Korean peninsula from 1392 to 1910. Compare Lee 10 Ri 2 and Yee 6.2: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 伊 meaning ‘he or she’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the personal name Yi Yin (伊尹) a famous official who made great contributions to the establishment of the Shang dynasty (1600 –1046 BC). It is said that he lived along a river named Yi Shui (伊水) (located in Henan province) and thus acquired the surname Yi (伊). (ii) adopted as a surname by the Yi Lou (伊婁) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).3: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 易 meaning ‘amiable’ or ‘easy’ in Chinese: (i) possibly from Yi (易) the name of a river (located in Hebei province). (ii) from the first element of the personal name Yi Ya (易牙) also known as Yong Wu an official in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) who was famous for his good cooking. (iii) from the first element of the placename Yi Zhou (易州) (located in Yixian in Hebei province).4: Chinese: Mandarin and Cantonese form of the surname 衣 (meaning ‘clothes’ in Chinese) or possibly a mispronounced form of the Chinese surname 殷. See Yin 1.5: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 弋 meaning ‘small wooden piles’ in Chinese: from the placename Yi (弋) the name of a fief (located in present-day Henan province) granted to descendants of the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).6: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 蟻 literally meaning ‘ants’ in Chinese: (i) said to be from another surname 蛾 (homophonous to 蟻 in ancient Chinese meaning ‘moth’) which may be derived from E/Yi Xi (蛾析) the personal name of an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) possibly a surname from the aboriginals in southern Fujian.7: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 益 meaning ‘benefit’ in Chinese: (i) possibly traced back to Bo Yi (伯益) said to be the author of Shan Hai Jing (or Classic of Mountains and Seas). (ii) from the placename Yi Du (益都) the name of a county (located in Shandong province). (iii) from the placename Yi Zhou (益州) the name of a town (located in Chengdu in Sichuan province).8: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 義 meaning ‘justice’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Yi Bo (義伯) an official during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) who wrote an essay entitled Dian Bao co-authored with Zhong Bo. (ii) from the first element of Yi Qu (義渠) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Gansu province) established by a nomadic ethnic group in northwestern China annexed by the state of Qin in 272 BC.9: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 羿 meaning ‘(of bird) going up to the sky with unfolded wings’: from the personal name Yi (羿) or Hou Yi (後羿) the name of a legendary archer prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) or name of the leader of the clan of Youqiong (possibly located in present-day Henan province) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC).10: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 儀 meaning ‘ceremony’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Yi Di (儀狄) an official during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (ii) borne by the descendants of an official in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) who was said to be granted with a fief named Yi (儀). (iii) said to be derived from a post-name Si-Yi (司儀) (akin to the master of ceremonies) in the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC). (iv) said to be borne by the descendants of Zhu Yi Fu (邾儀父) the tenth king of the state of Zhu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) said to be adopted in place of another surname of Chen (陳) by some people.11: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 乙 meaning ‘second’ in Chinese: (i) from Tian Yi (天乙) style name of Tang the first king of the Shang dynasty (1600 –1046 BC). (ii) adopted as a surname by the Yi Fu (乙弗) family in the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (iii) borne by descendants of Gesi Qiyi an official in the state of Balhae (located in present-day northeastern China) who was endowed with the surname Yi (乙) by Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang (867–933 AD).12: Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 裔 meaning ‘descendants’ in Chinese: unexplained possibly traced back to Yi Kuan (裔款) who lived in the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).13: Chinese: Hokkien or Hakka form of the Chinese surnames 余 see Yu 1.

Yuan : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 袁 meaning ‘(of dress) long’ in ancient Chinese: from the personal name of Bo Yuan (伯爰) style name of Zhu who was a descendant of Hu Gong Man (Duke Hu of Chen head of the state of Chen). In ancient Chinese the characters 爰 轅 and 袁 were used interchangeably. Descendants of Bo Yuan adopted 袁 (Yuan) as their surname.2: Mandarin form of the surname 元 meaning ‘head’ or ‘beginning’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Yuan Xian (元銑) an official in the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from the placename Yuan (元) the name of a fief located in Gaoping in Shanxi province which was granted to Yuan prince of the state of Wei during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the placename Yuan (元) the name of a fief located in present-day Hebei province which was granted to Yuan Xuan (元晅) an official in the state of Wey (衛) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) from the Tuoba (拓跋) Hegu (紇骨) and Shiyun (是雲) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China who adopted 元 as their surname during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).3: Mandarin form of the surname 苑 often referring to imperial gardens in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Yuan (苑) the name of a state (located in Xinzheng in Henan province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Yuan He Ji (苑何忌) an official in the state of Qi (located mainly in present-day Shandong province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 原 meaning ‘open land’ in Chinese: from Yuan (原) the name of a state (located in Jiyuan in Henan province) granted to Yuan Bo (原伯) (the Earl of Yuan) the 16th son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Jin (located in present-day Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) people from the state adopted Yuan (原) the name of the state as their surname. Moreover after the annihilation of the state of Yuan (原) the state became a fief in the state of Jin which were then granted to Xian Zhen also known as Yuan Zhen. His descendants also inherited Yuan (原) the name of the fief as their surname.5: Mandarin form of the surname 源 meaning ‘source origin’ in Chinese: surname from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China said to be traced back to Tu-Fa Po-Qiang (403–479 AD) also known as Yuan He (源賀) who was originally prince of the state of Southern Liang (397–414 AD) but later fled to Northern Wei after the toppling of Southern Liang. He was later endowed with the new surname Yuan (源) by the then emperor (Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei) because it was said that he shared the same ‘origin’ with the emperor. His descendants then inherited his new surname Yuan (源).

Zhan : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 詹 meaning ‘practising divination’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the title of officials in charge of practicing divination in ancient China. (ii) from Zhan (詹) the name of a fiefdom (probably located in Zhandian in present-day Henan province) granted to descendants of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC) by the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (iii) from the title Zhan Hou (詹侯 'Marquis Zhan’) which was granted to one of the sons of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC). (iv) from the names of Zhan Jia (詹嘉) (an official in the state of Jin) and Zhan Bo (詹伯) (an official in the state of Zheng) who were granted a fief called 詹 during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).2: Mandarin form of the surname 占 meaning ‘practising divination’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zi Zhan (子占) style name of Sun Shu a noble in the state of Chen (located mainly in present-day Henan and Anhui province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). 2 simplified form of the Chinese surname 詹 (see 1 above).3: Mandarin form of the surname 湛 a word meaning ‘limpid’ or ‘profound’ in ancient Chinese: habitational name from the placename Zhan (湛) the name of a small fief (located in Henan province) in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 展 meaning ‘unfolding’ or ‘honesty’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zhan (展) the name of an ancient state (located in Xuchang in Henan province). Descendants from the state acquired 展 as the surname. (ii) for some families the surname can be traced back to Wu Hai(died in 715 BC) the grandson of the prince Zhan(展 his style name) of the state of Lu. Wu Hai and his descendants inherited 展 style name of his grandfather as the surname. (iii) From the Zhan Chi (辗迟) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China who changed their original surname to 展 during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).5: Mandarin pronunciation of the surname 戰 meaning ‘fighting’ or ‘wars’ in Chinese: (i) from Bi Zhan (毕戰) an official in the state of Teng (located in Tengxian in Shandong province). His descendants inherited 戰 as the surname. (ii) for some families the surname is also borne by descendants of certain military commanders in ancient China.

Zhao : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 趙 originally meaning ‘walk quickly’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the placename Zhao (趙) (located in present-day Zhaocheng in Shanxi Province) the name of a fief granted by King Mu of Zhou (reigned 976–922 BC) to Zao Fu a famous charioteer during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). In 403 BC a descendant of Zao Fu Zhao Ji (趙籍) established the state of Zhao (趙). (ii) also borne as a surname by members of certain minority ethnic groups in ancient China. (iii) traced back to Zhao Liang (趙梁) an official during the reign of the King Xia Jie (the last king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC)).2: Mandarin form of the surname 招 meaning ‘beckon gesture’ or ‘attract (bad things)’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name Zhao (招) style name of the brother of the Duke Ai of Chen (ruler of the state of Chen reigned 568–534 BC) who was exiled to the state of Yue (located in present-day Jiangsu and Zhejiang province) because he assassinated the crown prince Yan Shi son of the Duke Ai of Chen. (ii) from the second element of the personal name Bu Zhao (步招) personal name of a person who lived in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).

Zhu : Chinese:: 1: Mandarin form of the surname 朱 meaning ‘vermilion’ in Chinese: (i) from Zhu (邾) the name of an ancient state (located in Zouxian in Shandong province) granted to a noble called An by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After this state was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) the Chinese character Zhu (邾) was simplified to Zhu (朱) and adopted as a surname. (ii) said to be borne by descendants of Zhu Hu (朱虎) or Zhu Biao (朱彪) officials who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (iii) said to be from the second element of the personal name of Dan Zhu (丹朱) style name of a son of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC). (iv) said to be borne by descendants of Song Weizi founder of the state of Song established in around 11th century BC. (v) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Er-Zhu (爾朱) the ancient name of a river (currently called Zhu Jia Chuan located in northwestern Shanxi province). (vi) adopted as a surname by the Ke Zhuo Hun (渴濁渾) and Ke Zhu Hun (可朱渾) families from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD).2: Mandarin form of the surname 諸 meaning ‘various’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Zhu (諸) the name of a fief (located in Zhucheng in Shandong province) in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) possibly from the second element of the personal name Wu Zhu (無諸) style name of the founder of Minyue Kingdom (202–110 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the compound surname Zhu-Ge (諸葛) by Zhu-Ge Shipeng who hid in the Kuaiji Hill after the Chen Qiao Mutiny during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 AD).3: Mandarin form of the surname 祝 meaning ‘wizard prayers’ or ‘to pray’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zhu (祝) the name of an official post in ancient China in charge of chanting prayers during religious worship. (ii) from the placename Zhu (祝) the name of a fief (located in Shandong province) during the reign of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC).4: Mandarin form of the surname 竺: (i) from the second element of Tian Zhu (天竺) the Chinese name of the ancient Indian Empire whose immigrants in China acquired Zhu (竺) as their surname. (ii) adopted in place of another homophonous Chinese surname Zhu (竹) by Zhu Yan (竹晏) during the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD).5: Mandarin form of the surname 竹 meaning ‘bamboo’ in Chinese: (i) traced back to the state of Gu Zhu (孤竹) a small state (located in Hebei province) during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) said to be the surname of the leader of the state of Yelang (known as Marquis of Yelang) (located in present-day Guizhou province) during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).

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