Qian Surname

Surname Overview

Qian is a currently uncommon Han Chinese surname, distributed today in Shanxi, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, and other areas, and recorded in relevant surname texts.

Reference: 潜姓_潜姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Origin in the Ancient Qian State

One Qian lineage derives from the Mi surname and the ancient Qian state of the Spring and Autumn period, taking the state name as its surname. After Chu annexed the state, some nobles and inhabitants adopted its former name as their surname.

Reference: 潜姓_潜姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origin from Qian Land

Another Qian lineage derives from Qian Land of the Spring and Autumn period, taking its surname from the name of the settlement. Qian Land was one of Chu's towns, located in the area northeast of present-day Huoshan County, Anhui.

Reference: 潜姓_潜姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Surname Change for Refuge

Qian Ji, a minister of Later Liang, changed the surname Qian to the homophonous Qian during refuge in the Liang-controlled Jiangnan region and became known as Qian Ji. His descendants continued to use Qian as their surname.

Reference: 潜姓_潜姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

In the Song period, Qian Fu oversaw agricultural administration under the Southern Song and wrote articles on rural economic management. In the Southern Song, Qian Shuoyou held offices including Minister of Revenue and compiled the Xianchun Lin'an Gazetteer.

Reference: 潜姓_潜姓的来源_潜姓族谱_姓氏潜姓的名人_潜氏家谱_百家姓