Surname Overview
Overview
The Lin surname is a traditional Chinese surname pronounced lìn. It has multiple ancient origins, is outside the first thousand surnames in the Hundred Family Surnames ranking, and is not found in Taiwan Province.
吝 Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 195Origins
Two Origins
The Lin surname mainly derives from the Ji surname. One branch came from priestly clans in the Shang and Zhou periods and took its surname from an official title; another came from Han Kang's fief of Lin in the Spring and Autumn period, whose Lin descendants later adopted 吝 to avoid disaster.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestations
The Lin surname is recorded in New Compilation of One Thousand Surnames; the Dictionary of Surnames also records it through a citation of Surname Genealogy. The Song period had a person named Lin Zhansheng.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Halls
The main commanderies associated with the Lin surname are Zhongshan and Huayin. Its halls include Zhongshan Hall, Huayin Hall, and Complete Jade Hall.
Migration and Distribution
Distribution
Lin clanspeople are distributed in Shaanxi, Hebei, Hunan, and other regions, including Xi'an and Weinan in Shaanxi; Shijiazhuang and Hengshui in Hebei; Huzhou, Xiaogan, Changsha, and Shenzhen.
Notable People
Founders
The Lin clan honors Han Kang as its blood ancestor and Lin Xiangru as the founder associated with acquiring the surname.
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