Surname Overview
Rare surname
Yi is a currently rare Han Chinese surname, pronounced yì, and is included in the New Compilation of One Thousand Family Names. It is distributed today in Hancheng, Shaanxi.
邑 Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 2Origins
Descendant of an official of the Yellow Emperor
One tradition holds that the Yi surname descends from Yi Yi, an official of the Yellow Emperor.
A surname-change tradition
Another tradition holds that the surname was changed from Yiyou.
Historical Records
Recorded in Yangping during the Jin period
The surname was recorded in Yangping during the Jin period; the former seat of Yangping was south of present-day Lingbi, Anhui.
Migration and Distribution
Still distributed today
The Yi surname is still distributed in mainland China today.
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Surname attestation references
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