Ma Surname

Surname Overview

Ma is a currently fairly common surname found among Han, Mongolian, Miao, Hui, Zhuang, Tu, Lisu, Tujia, Xibe, and other ethnic groups.

Reference: 麻氏家谱网 提供4个省区市的14部麻氏家谱、麻氏族谱

Origins

Origins in a Personal Name and a Fief

One tradition derives Ma from the name of the Qi official Ma Ying; another derives it from a Chu official whose fief was called Ma.

Reference: 麻氏家谱网 提供4个省区市的14部麻氏家谱、麻氏族谱

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Ma surname is recorded in the Zheng Tongzhi, Clan略; related origin accounts also appear in Fengsu Tong cited by Zheng Qiao and in Xing Kao cited by Xing Shi Kao Lue.

Reference: 麻氏家谱网 提供4个省区市的14部麻氏家谱、麻氏族谱

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery and Hall Names

The Ma surname's commandery designation is Shanggu. Its hall names include Jinzi Hall and Yuyin Hall.

Reference: 麻姓_麻姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution and Migration

The Ma surname is widely distributed, with Zhejiang, Jilin, and Jiangsu having relatively large concentrations. A Hunyuan genealogy records that during the Zhengde era of the Ming dynasty, four Ma brothers, Ying, Xiong, Duan, and Zhen, migrated from Hongdong to Hunyuan.

Reference: 麻氏家谱网 提供4个省区市的14部麻氏家谱、麻氏族谱

Notable People

Historical Figures

Ma Guang was a Han-dynasty Imperial Secretary. Ma Gui was a Hui general of the Ming dynasty who served as governor-general of Ningxia and later led troops to Korea as a commander against Japanese forces.

Reference: 麻姓_麻姓的来源和历史_百家姓