Guàn Surname

Surname Overview

Overview

Guan (Guàn) is a currently uncommon Han Chinese surname, distributed today in Changzhi and the Lüliang area of Shanxi.

Reference: 观姓_观姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

The Guan surname is derived from the Si surname and originated from Guan, a same-surname feudal state of the Xia dynasty; after the state was destroyed, its descendants adopted the state name as their surname.

Reference: 观姓_观姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Zheng Tongzhi, in its Genealogical Treatise, records Guan as a Si-surname marquisate and cites the Zuo Commentary as saying that Xia had Guan and Hu, states of the same surname. The Kaolüe of Surnames identifies Guan as a same-surname Xia feudal state, namely the “Five Guan” of the Guoyu.

Reference: 观姓_观姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Present Distribution

The Guan surname is found today in Changzhi and the Lüliang area of Shanxi, and is also distributed in Xiaoshan of Zhejiang, Wujin of Jiangsu, and Keelung and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

Reference: 观姓_观姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Guan Dingfu was a native of Ruo in the Spring and Autumn period and later served as a Chu military adviser; Guan Xun was a Han-dynasty governor of Yangzhou; Guan Shefu was a Chu grandee in the Spring and Autumn period.

Reference: 观姓_观姓的来源和历史_百家姓