Surname Overview
An Ancient Surname
Li is an ancient surname, originating mainly from the state of Li during the Shang dynasty.
Li Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 2,503,290Li / Li
Origins
Two Main Origins
The Li surname has two main origins: descendants of Zhurong Li and descendants of the Zi-surname state of Li.
Historical Records
Classical Records
The Shangshu records that “the Earl of the West conquered Li,” while the Shiji states that during the reign of King Zhou of Shang, the Earl of the West defeated the state of Qi; Ying Shao’s Fengsu Tongyi of the Eastern Han describes the Li as descendants of the ancient Jiuli tribe.
Migration and Distribution
During the Song dynasty, the Li surname was mainly distributed in Hunan, Sichuan, and Jiangxi; during the Ming dynasty, it was concentrated mainly in Jiangxi and Guangdong, with an overall movement toward the southeast.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Historical figures include the Northern Wei general Li Yi, the Yongle Marquis Li Qiao of the Southern Qi, the Tang dynasty Jingzhao Yin Li Gan, the Ming dynasty metropolitan graduate Li Chun, and modern figures Li Yuanhong, Li Jinhui, and Li Jinxi.
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Surname attestation references
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