Origins
Main Origins
The Li surname includes branches originating from the posthumous title of Duke Li of Qi, the ancient state of Li, and changes from the Sun and Li surnames.
Lì Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 142,581Lì / Li
Historical Records
Early Attestations
Accounts of the surname's origins cite works including Fengsu Tong and Sanguozhi: Jiangbiao Zhuan, and place the ancient state of Li at Li Township north of present-day Suizhou, Hubei.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Halls
The Li surname is associated with the Fanyang and Nanyang commanderies, and with the halls Banshu, Fozi, Nanyang, Sanhuai, and Siyong.
Migration and Distribution
Distribution and Migration
Among 23Mofang genetic-testing users, Li-surname ancestral origins are mainly distributed in Zhejiang, Shandong, and Jiangsu; Li Guohua is regarded as the founding migrant ancestor of the Danyang Li lineage.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Li Wencai was a Tang-dynasty governor of Daozhou; Li E was a Qing-dynasty poet and scholar; Li Zhi was a Qing-dynasty poet, calligrapher, and painter; and Li Zhongfang was a Song-dynasty military officer.
Genealogy and Generation Names
Generational Names
Generational names vary by region: Danjiang in Hubei uses "You Da Cheng Ming Kai Guo Ying Xuan"; Yueqing in Zhejiang uses "Lian Qing Jing Hong Qi Jia Xing Ru Ri Yue"; and Rizhao in Shandong uses "Bao Fu Jian Yan Cheng Zong Mao Shan Cun Gong Huai Xiu Jia Zhen Nai Chuan Duan Ming Xuan Jin Xi Ce Qi Xin Yu Fu Yan Qing Xu Ze Ying Shen."
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Surname attestation references
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