Ren Surname

Surname Overview

Overview of the Ren Surname

The Ren surname has two major origins and a history of at least 2,300 years.

Reference: 任姓起源分布与家谱家族

Origins

Two Major Origins

One branch derives from the Ren lineage, with Yu Yang, who was enfeoffed in Ren, as its ancestor; the other derives from the Feng lineage and comes from the Ren state established by descendants of Taihao.

Reference: 任姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Early Documentary Record

The earliest record of the Ren surname is found in the Zhou-period work Shiben.

Reference: 洪洞大槐树 | 每期一姓——任姓_任氏_任昉_氏族

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The principal commanderies associated with the Ren surname are Lean and Dong'an; its hall names include Lean and Shuixie.

Reference: 洪洞大槐树 | 每期一姓——任姓_任氏_任昉_氏族

Migration and Distribution

Before the Qin dynasty, the Ren surname was mainly active in Shandong, Henan, and Hubei; during the Qin and Han periods it spread to Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and other areas; in the early Qing period it entered Taiwan.

Reference: 任姓起源分布与家谱家族

Genealogy and Generation Names

Genealogical Generation Names

One Ren branch in Rugao, Jiangsu, uses the generation sequence “Yun Yuan Shi Da Zhong, Wan Zheng Ji Shun Tai”; one branch in Qiaoying, Pingdingshan, uses, from the eleventh generation onward, “Xian Shi Hua Yu Ting, Wan Xi Feng You Zhang, De Shou Wen Ming Chuan, Cun Zhi Yong Hui Quan, Xu Ju Guang Yun Pei, Jun Xiu Yun Shi Yuan, Hua Guang Zhao Xiang Rui, Tai Qing Deng Zhong Tian.”

Reference: 洪洞大槐树 | 每期一姓——任姓_任氏_任昉_氏族