Si Surname

Surname Overview

The surname Si is pronounced sī and is widely distributed. It is found among the Han, Yi, Nu, Mongolian, Tujia, Lahu, Gaoshan, Kyrgyz and other ethnic groups.

Reference: 司姓_司姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Two Main Origins

The surname has two main origins: a Ji-surname line descended from the Zheng official Si Chen and adopting his name as a surname, and lines simplified from compound surnames such as Sima, Situ, Sikou and Sicheng.

Reference: 司姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

Documentary accounts include Si Guai, an augur in the time of Shennong, Si Chen of Zheng in the Spring and Autumn period, and simplification from compound surnames. The Clan Treatises of the Zheng Comprehensive Gazetteer and Qing Comprehensive Gazetteer both record the surname.

Reference: 司姓_司姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery and Hall Names

The commandery associated with the surname is Dunqiu Commandery, around present-day Xun County, Henan. Its hall names include Dunqiu Hall and Huaiyou Hall.

Reference: 《百家姓》第259姓：司，司姓来源、分布地域与名人介绍 | 速查君

Migration and Distribution

By the pre-Qin period, the Si lineage was present in Zheng, Jin and Wei. From the Eastern Jin through the Northern and Southern Dynasties, some members moved to Hubei, Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang; after the late Tang and Five Dynasties, migration extended to Hunan, Sichuan and Jiangxi.

Reference: 司姓_司姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Si Chen was a senior official of Zheng in the Spring and Autumn period. Si Chao was a military commander from the Five Dynasties to the early Northern Song and served as commandery training and defense commissioner of Shuzhou. Si Jujing was from En County in the Yuan dynasty and served as magistrate of Zou County.

Reference: 司姓_司姓的来源和历史_百家姓