Han Surname

Surname Overview

Form and Pronunciation

Han is a current common surname, pronounced hán in pinyin, with the traditional form 韓.

Reference: 韩姓_韩姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Two Main Origins

The Han surname has two main origins: Dong and Ji. The Dong branch is traced to descendants of Zhuanxu of Gaoyang, while the Ji branch is associated with the Han states of the Zhou and Warring States periods; most present-day Han surnames are said to derive from the Ji-surname Han state.

Reference: 韩姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Documentary Records and Branches

The Han surname is recorded in the Clan Records of the Zheng Tongzhi, Xu Tongzhi, and Qing Tongzhi. Related records present different accounts, including descent from Hanliu, the Ji-surname Hanyuan branch, adoption of Han from the Han state, and the Northern Wei change from Dahan to Han.

Reference: 韩姓_韩姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

Han surname commanderies include Yingchuan, Nanyang, and Changli; hall names include Qizhang Hall, Changli Hall, and Zhoujin Hall.

Reference: 韩姓_韩姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

The Han surname was initially active around Shaanxi and Shanxi and had reached Henan and Hebei by the late Shang and early Zhou. It entered Guangdong and Fujian in the late Tang, flourished especially in Shandong, Jiangsu, and Liaoning after the Ming, and reached Taiwan in the early Qing.

Reference: 韩姓起源分布与家谱家族

Notable People

Historical Figures

Historical figures with the Han surname include Han Fu, Han Xin, Han Fei, Han Yu, Han Qi, and Han Shizhong. Han Xin was one of the Three Heroes of the early Han and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Huaiyin.

Reference: 韩姓_韩姓的来源和历史_百家姓