西 Surname

Surname Overview

The surname Xi is pronounced xī and is currently uncommon; it is found among the Han and Mulam peoples.

Reference: 西姓_西姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Origin in an Ancient State

One branch originated from the ancient state of Xi, possibly the ancient state of Xiling, and took the state name as its surname.

Reference: 西姓_西姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Descendants of Ximen Bao

One branch descended from Ximen Bao, magistrate of Ye in the Warring States period Wei state; the compound surname Ximen was later simplified to Xi.

Reference: 西姓_西姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Other Origins

Another account states that the Manchu Eight Banners surname Xiketeri was later changed to Xi; descendants of the Zhang surname are also recorded as having changed to Xi to avoid calamity.

Reference: 西姓_西姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Texts and Commandery Origin

The Clan Records in the Zheng Tongzhi and Xu Tongzhi include the surname Xi; the Xing shi lue kao identifies Wei Commandery as its commandery origin.

Reference: 西姓_西姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution and Migration

The Xi surname is broadly distributed but not numerous, occurring in Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Xinjiang and other places; the Xi families in Northeast China are recorded as having migrated from Shandong, while the Anhui branch remains difficult to determine.

Reference: 西姓_西姓的来源和历史_百家姓