Song Surname

Surname Overview

The Song surname is pronounced sōng. It is currently uncommon, broadly distributed but small in number, and is found among the Han, Zhuang, Yi, Tibetan, and other ethnic groups.

Reference: 松姓_松姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Legendary Qin Origin

One tradition traces the surname to Qin Shi Huang taking shelter beneath a pine tree and conferring on it the title “Five-Rank Grand Master”; later generations consequently adopted Song as their surname.

Reference: 松姓_松姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Other Origins

Other recorded origins include people changing the Gong surname to Song, Manchu Songjala and Bugusi lineages adopting Song as their Han surname in the Qing period, and Tibetan Song families in the Lijiang area of Yunnan during the Qing period.

Reference: 松姓_松姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Song surname is recorded in the Clan Compendia of the Zheng Tongzhi, Xu Tongzhi, and Qing Tongzhi; the Xing shi kao lüe, quoting the Yuanhe xing zuan, records Dongguan as its prestigious ancestral locality.

Reference: 松姓_松姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Prestigious Seats and Hall Names

The Song surname is associated with Dongguan Commandery and Taishan Commandery; its hall names include Dongguan Hall and Taishan Hall.

Reference: 松姓_松姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution

Recorded present-day locations include Songjiang in Shanghai; Hekou and Maguan in Yunnan; Wuchuan in Guangdong; Taiyuan and Changzhi in Shanxi; Hancheng in Shaanxi; and Burqin in Xinjiang.

Reference: 松姓_松姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

In the Sui period, Song Yun served as a captain of the Shimen Prefecture; in the Ming period, Song Mian was a Changlu salt official known for integrity and incorruptibility.

Reference: 松姓_松姓的来源和历史_百家姓