yīn Surname

Surname Overview

Pronunciation and Status of the Yin Surname

The surname 音 is pronounced yīn and is a currently rare Han Chinese surname; the latest ranking listed is 1,150th.

Reference: 音姓_音姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Ancient Office and Courtesy Name Origins

Two origin traditions are given for the 音 surname: descent from ancient grand historiographers responsible for the five tones, taking the hereditary office as the surname; or descent from Han Buxin, whose courtesy name was Boyin, with descendants possibly adopting 音 as their surname.

Reference: 音姓_音姓的来源和历史_百家姓

A Ming-Dynasty Enfeoffment Tradition

Another tradition states that Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang rewarded imperial guard instructor Zhang Hong for putting out a fire but mistakenly wrote 章 as 音; Zhang Hong accepted the grant, changed his name to Yin Hong, and the 音 surname arose from this event.

Reference: 音姓_音姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Classical Reference Records

The 音 surname is recorded in the Zhongwen Dazidian, which cites the Xingyuan; the Xing shi kaolüe records two origin traditions.

Reference: 音姓_音姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Current Distribution

The 音 surname is concentrated in Feidong County, Anhui, with scattered distribution in Wuhu, Anhui, and Shanxi; it is also found in Huainan, Anhui, Yuyao, Zhejiang, and Ningdu, Jiangxi.

Reference: 音姓_音姓的来源和历史_百家姓