Surname Overview
Main Origins
The Qin surname mainly derives from the Ying, Ji, and Yao surnames, forming a multi-origin surname group.
Qin Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 3,522,862Qin / Chin
Origins
Ying-Origin Lineage
The Ying-origin Qin lineage traces back to Shaohao; after Boyi's descendants, Feizi was enfeoffed in Qin, and some descendants adopted the state's name as their surname.
Historical Records
Boundary of Early Records
Qin Buxu is recorded as one of Emperor Shun's seven friends. Because no traceable genealogy survives after him, later genealogical scholars also proposed state-name and settlement-name origins for the Qin surname.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Halls
Recorded Qin lineage halls include Tianshui, Linzi, Henei, and Taiyuan Halls, each established from a commandery affiliation.
Migration and Distribution
Distribution from Pre-Qin to Qin-Han
Before the Qin dynasty, the Qin surname was mainly active in Henan, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Hubei, and Hebei. The Qin-Han period was an important stage in its migration to other regions.
Notable People
Historical Figure: Qin Guan
Qin Guan was a Northern Song native of Gaoyou, styled Taixu and Shaoyou, known as the Huaihai Scholar, and one of the Four Scholars of the Su School.
Continue your family research
Start with ancestral counties, villages, personal names and dates. Record genealogy titles, volumes, editions and catalog identifiers. A shared surname does not prove a shared lineage; compare branch records.
Surname attestation references
These catalogs or datasets attest written names, not every origin or lineage claim on this page.
This page includes automatically organized material. Check the references and original family documents.
Add or correct information
Submit the information and a reference link for possible inclusion on this page.