De Surname

Surname Overview

The surname De is pronounced dé. It is currently uncommon, ranks outside the top 300 surnames in mainland China, and ranks 810th in Taiwan.

Reference: 德姓_德姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Ying-Origin Branch

One branch of the De surname derives from the Ying surname and traces to Duke De of Qin in the Spring and Autumn period, adopting a posthumous title as its surname. After his death, Duke Xuan of Qin granted him the posthumous title De, which his collateral descendants later adopted as a surname.

Reference: 德姓_德姓的来源和历史_百家姓

De ruo Kingdom Origin

Another branch derives from the ancient Parthians and the De ruo kingdom of the Western Regions during the Han dynasty, adopting the kingdom's name as its surname. Some people from De ruo remained in the Central Plains after entering the imperial court and adopted the Chinese character De, a homophone of the first syllable of their original kingdom's name.

Reference: 德姓_德姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Multiethnic Adoption

The De surname also has origins among Mongol, Manchu, Daur, and other ethnic groups. Some branches adopted the Chinese surname De from the mid-Qing period onward or after the late Qing period.

Reference: 德姓_德姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary and Personal Attestations

The De surname is recorded in Xu Tongzhi: Clan Studies. Xing shi kaolüe states that it adopted a posthumous title, while Xing shi cidian cites adoption from a prefecture name. De Yi was a Han-period person recorded in Y in sou.

Reference: 德姓_德姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Geographic Distribution

The De surname is widely distributed but has a small population. It is found in Huanghua and Xinji in Hebei, Longkou in Shandong, Nenjiang in Heilongjiang, Changzhi and Yangquan in Shanxi, Tacheng in Xinjiang, and Jianli in Hubei.

Reference: 德姓_德姓的来源和历史_百家姓