Shi Surname

Surname Overview

Rarity and Distribution

Shi (shì) is a relatively rare modern Han Chinese surname, found in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuchuan in Guangdong, Qiubei in Yunnan, Wuhan in Hubei, and Taiyuan, Changzhi, Yuncheng, Yanbei, and Lüliang in Shanxi.

Reference: 世姓_世姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Ji, Zi, and Name-Based Origins

Three traditional lines are given for the surname: descendants of the Wei clan Shishu dropped shu and used Shi, tracing the line to the Ji clan; descendants of Song Weizi included a Shi branch traced to the Zi clan; and descendants of Shiwu, a great-great-grandson of the Yellow Emperor's minister Dafeng who served as sima, adopted an ancestor's personal name as their surname.

Reference: 世姓_世姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Sinhalese Royal Line

One Shi lineage descended from Gelishengxiala Xilibajiaolire, a prince of the Sinhalese dynasty of ancient Ceylon during the Ming period, and formed the Chinese surname from an ancestor's name.

Reference: 世姓_世姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Descendants of the Qin Official Shijun

Another line traces to the Ying clan and to Shijun, an official of Qin during the Warring States period. Some descendants adopted his personal name as surnames, producing the Shi, Jun, and Jun lineages.

Reference: 世姓_世姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Recorded Texts and Historical Figures

The surname appears in the clan sections of Zheng Tongzhi and Xu Tongzhi. Recorded figures include Shijun, a Qin official in the Warring States period; Shichong, a Jiujiang commandant in the Han; Shichen, a Jiatai-era presented scholar in the Song; and Shijiabao, a Ming minister of justice.

Reference: 世姓_世姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

Commandery associations recorded for the Shi surname include Xianyang, Jinjiang, and Jiujiang. Hall names include Xianyang Hall, also called Qindu, and Jinjiang Hall, also called Xilan Hall or Quanzhou Hall.

Reference: 世姓_世姓的来源和历史_百家姓