Ni Surname

Surname Overview

The surname Ni is pronounced ní, has a population of approximately 1.9 million or more, and ranks 116th among common surnames.

Reference: 倪氏百科-倪氏族谱-倪氏起源-倪氏家谱-族谱网

Origins

Cao-Origin Lineage

The surname Ni originated from the Cao surname. In the Spring and Autumn period, the Duke of Zhu enfeoffed his second son at Yi, whose descendants took the state name as the surname Yi; after Yi was destroyed by Chu, they changed their surname to Ni to avoid enmity.

Reference: 倪姓起源分布与家谱家族

Other Lineages

Records also describe the surname Ni among Xianbei, Mongol, Manchu, Tujia, Miao, Dong, and other groups as a sinicized surname.

Reference: 倪氏百科-倪氏族谱-倪氏起源-倪氏家谱-族谱网

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery and Hall Names

The Ni surname's commandery association is Qiansheng Commandery. Its hall name includes Qiansheng Hall, also called Le'an Hall, along with self-established names such as Jingchu, Yide, Shide, and Chengde.

Reference: 倪氏百科-倪氏族谱-倪氏起源-倪氏家谱-族谱网

Migration and Distribution

The Ni surname was initially concentrated mainly in Shandong and moved south to Jiangsu and Zhejiang in the late Warring States period. After the Jin dynasty, large-scale southward migration occurred because of warfare in the north, and a concentration formed in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region during the Tang and Song periods.

Reference: 倪姓起源分布与家谱家族

Notable People

Historical Figure: Ni Kuan

Ni Kuan of the Western Han dynasty was from Qiansheng. He served as廷尉, Imperial Censor, Zhong Dafu, Left Internal Historian, and Imperial Censor-in-Chief, and participated in compiling the Taichu Calendar.

Reference: 倪氏百科-倪氏族谱-倪氏起源-倪氏家谱-族谱网