Zī Surname

Surname Overview

Rare Surname and Distribution

Zi (Zī) is a relatively rare surname today, found in Beijing, Wuqing in Tianjin, Shenyang in Liaoning, Yuncheng in Shanxi, and other places.

Reference: 兹姓_兹姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Ji Lineage Origin

One branch derives from the Ji clan: King Wu of Zhou enfeoffed Zi Yuqi, a descendant of Chong, son of Shaohao, at Ju; his descendants adopted an ancestral name as their surname. Zi Yuqi was also written Zi Yuqi with a variant middle character.

Reference: 兹姓_兹姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Ji Lineage Through Gong-sun Zi

One branch derives from the Ji clan and descends from Gong-sun Zi, a grandson of Duke Huan of Lu. It adopted the ancestor's personal name as the surname and regarded Kuaiji as its commandery of origin.

Reference: 兹姓_兹姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Gui Lineage Origin

One branch derives from the Gui clan and descends from Linqiu, a son of Duke Xi of Chen. Among the descendants of Linqiu's son Yizi, some adopted Zi from his name as their surname; this branch is pronounced Zī.

Reference: 兹姓_兹姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The surname Zi (Zī) is included in the clan sections of Zheng Tongzhi and Xu Tongzhi, where it is described as having more than one origin.

Reference: 兹姓_兹姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery and Hall Names

Kuaiji is recorded as a commandery of origin for the Zi surname. Its hall names include Luoyang Hall, Kuaiji Hall, and Wuyang Hall, also respectively known as Baima Hall; Shanyin Hall and Shaoxing Hall; and Dongjun Hall, Liaobei Hall, and Yangping Hall.

Reference: 兹姓_兹姓的来源和历史_百家姓