Jin Surname

Origins

Two Main Origins

The Jin surname has two main origins: Jintian氏 and the Ji surname.

Reference: 金姓起源分布与家谱家族

Descendants of Jintian氏

One branch descends from Shaohao. Shaohao was called Jintian氏 because he ruled by the virtue of metal, and some of his descendants adopted his title as their surname.

Reference: 金姓起源分布与家谱家族

The Ji-Origin Jin Branch

During the Five Dynasties period, people surnamed Liu in Wuyue adopted Jin to avoid Qian Liu's name taboo. After Wuyue fell, those who did not restore the Liu surname became the main Jin population in southeast China.

Reference: 金姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Early Historical Attestation

In the late Warring States period, during the reign of King Shenjing of Zhou, the official Jin Tou was recorded as the first prominent figure among the descendants of Jintian氏.

Reference: 金姓起源分布与家谱家族

Migration and Distribution

Historical Migration and Concentration

After the Qin and Han dynasties, Jin activity expanded to the northwest, northeast, Central Plains, and Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Fujian areas. During the Tang and Song periods, its center shifted southeast, forming a pattern centered on Henan and the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region.

Reference: 金姓起源分布与家谱家族

Genealogy and Generation Names

Migration Records in Genealogies

The Chongming Jin genealogy records that founding migrants Jin Tai and Jin Ge moved from Pengcheng to Chongming during the Southern Song period.

Reference: 金氏家谱网 提供16个省区市的422部金氏家谱、金氏族谱