Bian Surname

Surname Overview

The Bian surname has multiple lines of origin; most modern Bian families regard Bian Sui, Bian Zhuangzi, or Bian He as founding ancestors of the surname.

Reference: 卞姓起源分布与家谱家族

Origins

Principal Origins

Recorded origins of the Bian surname include the states or places of Bian, Bian River, the official title “bianshi,” descendants of Bian He of Chu, and Manchu Bianjiashi families who adopted the surname.

Reference: 卞姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Zheng Tongzhi: Shizu Lue records multiple origins for Bian and lists two accounts: a branch descendant of Cao Shu Zhendu was enfeoffed in Bian, or Lu Zhuangzi served as the grand officer of Bianyi.

Reference: 卞姓_卞姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

Bian commandery associations include Jiyin and Jiyang. Recorded hall names include Jiyin Hall, Jiyang Hall, Zhengpu Hall, Zhongzhen Hall, and Chuanlu Hall.

Reference: 卞姓_卞姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

In early periods, Bian families were distributed across present-day Henan, Hebei, Anhui, and Jiangsu. Around the Qin-Han transition, some moved to northern Shandong and southern Jiangsu; during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, many more moved to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi.

Reference: 卞姓_卞姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Bian He was a person of Chu in the Spring and Autumn period and the discoverer of the Heshi jade. Bian Zhuangzi served as grand officer of Bianyi in Lu. Bian Kun was a Jin-period statesman whose posthumous title was Zhongzhen.

Reference: 卞姓起源分布与家谱家族