Bēn Surname

Surname Overview

Overview

Ben is a currently uncommon surname, pronounced Bēn. It is mainly traced to the Jiang, Mi, and Ji surnames, and does not appear among the top 3,000 surnames in mainland China.

Reference: 奔姓_奔姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Jiang Origin

One Jiang-origin branch derives from Teng Ben-shi, the wife of Zhuanxu. The name was later shortened to the surname Ben, and many members honor Teng Benlu as the founding ancestor of the surname.

Reference: 奔姓_奔姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Mi Origin

One Mi-origin branch is described as descendants of the Han imperial Liu clan who fled abroad for refuge. Some adopted Liu Ben, later branching into surnames including Chuben, Shimazu Ben, Yeben, Riben, Wangben, and Nolu Ben.

Reference: 奔姓_奔姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Mongol Origin

The Mongol Ben surname derives from the Kuben clan of the Yuan period. Kuben was also called Benbu or Keben, traditionally residing in Erut; some members adopted the Han surname Ben during the Ming and Qing periods.

Reference: 奔姓_奔姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Attestations

The surname Ben is recorded in Xu Tongzhi: Clan Records. The Surnames Research cites Shiben, stating that Shennong married a daughter of the Benshui clan and that the Ben surname followed; it also cites Tongjian Shiwen on a Ben-pronounced 贲 surname later becoming Ben.

Reference: 奔姓_奔姓的来源和历史_百家姓