Huang Surname

Surname Overview

Huang is one of China's ten major surnames, with a population of about 29 million. It ranks eighth nationwide and accounts for 2.23% of the Han population.

Reference: 黄氏家谱网 提供24个省区市的1515部黄氏家谱、黄氏族谱

Origins

Origins and Ancestors

The Huang surname took its name from a state and originated from the Huang state in Huangchuan, Henan. Established in the early Xia period, it was a Ying-surname state founded by descendants of Boyi. Boyi is identified as the bloodline ancestor of the Huang surname.

Reference: 黄氏家谱网 提供24个省区市的1515部黄氏家谱、黄氏族谱

Historical Records

Early Attestations

Huang people from the Yellow River area of Henan moved to Fenchuan in Shanxi and established a Huang state. After it was destroyed by Jin in the early Spring and Autumn period, its descendants took Huang as their surname; this branch is described as the earliest Huang surname in China.

Reference: 黄姓起源分布与家谱家族

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Halls

During the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods, Huang formed the notable commanderies of Jiangling and Jiangxia. Existing genealogical records also show the hall names Jiangxia, Huaiying, Yizheng, Yishan, and Chengming.

Reference: 黄姓起源分布与家谱家族

Migration and Distribution

Huang lineages moved from Jiangxia to Jinhua in Zhejiang, and from Gushi in Henan through Anhui and Jiangxi to Shaowu in Fujian, later spreading along the southeastern coast, to Guangdong, Guangxi, and Taiwan. Huang entered Taiwan in the late Ming period.

Reference: 黄姓起源分布与家谱家族

Notable People

Historical Figure

During the reign of King Kaolie of Chu in the Warring States period, Huang Xie, a descendant of the Huang state, served as Chancellor of Chu and was enfeoffed as Lord Chunshen, with his fief at the former Huang state capital.

Reference: 黄姓起源分布与家谱家族