Surname Overview
Overview
The He surname has multiple pronunciations and origins and is found among multiple ethnic groups. Among the Naxi, it is the largest surname, concentrated mainly around Lijiang in Yunnan.
He Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 390,664He / Ho
Origins
The He surname is traced to He Zhong and He Shu, descendants of Chongli of the Zhurong lineage, who used an ancestor’s name as their surname. It is also associated with Zi He, Duke Mu of Song, Bian He of Chu, and descendants of officials called He Ling and Shou He.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Halls
The principal commanderies associated with the He surname are Dai, Runan, and Xiling. Its hall names include Fuding, Lü Lü, Biyu, Yongsi, Zhuiyuan, Zhongxin, and Luoyang.
Migration and Distribution
The He surname is distributed throughout China, with major concentrations in Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Yunnan, and Beijing; Yunnan and Shandong have the largest distributions.
Notable People
Historical Figures
He Qia was a minister of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period; He Qiao was a Western Jin minister; and He Ning was a late Tang and Five Dynasties official, writer, and forensic scholar.
Research Notes
Name Boundary
He Shen of the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty did not bear the He surname; he belonged to the Niohuru clan, and his full name was Niohuru Shanbao or Niohuru He Shen.
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