The Origin of Surname

Zhang,Wang,Li,Zhao,Qian,Sun…Everyone has its surname.Well,what’s the origin of surname?

Nowadays,most of the Chinese surnames came from thousands of years ago.After researching their history,we know the surnames we have today came from about 12 categories.

One----In Chinese pronunciation,surname is Xing Shi.You see there are two words.But do you know in ancient time,Xing was different from Shi.With the development of history,Xing was regarded as Shi.For example,in Mother-authority society,people took mothers’ name as surname.

Two----Took name of state as surname.Such as the states in Spring and Autumn,Warring Period,they were Qi, Lu, Jin, Song, Zheng, Wu, Yue, Qin, Chu, Wei, Han, Zhao, Wei, Yan, Chen, Cai, Cao, Hu, Xu.Now they became common surnames.

Three----Took name of county as surname.In ancient times,if monarches or aristocrats stayed one place,later people there would used the name of place as their surnames.

Four----Took name of village or pavilion as surname.

Five----Took place that lived as surname.

Six----Took ancestor’s name as surname.

Seven----Took order as surname.For example,in China,the eldest is called Bo or Meng,the second one is Zhong,the third is Shu,the fourth is Ji.

Eight----Took official position as surname.Such as Sima,Situ,Sikong,Sishi,Sikou.

Nine----Took craft as surname.Wu came frome witchcraft.Tao is from pottery.

Ten----Some surnames came from minorities.

Eleven----Some used the posthumous names as the surnames.

Twelve----Some change their surnames as they were given other surnames by emperors or they had to avoid some bad things.