Tan Surname

Surname Overview

The Tan surname is pronounced tán. It is currently uncommon, is a Han Chinese surname, and is distributed widely, including in Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Liaoning, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi.

Reference: 檀姓_檀姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Main Origins

The Tan surname has three principal origins: Tan Boda was enfeoffed in Henei in the early Western Zhou; members of the Qi ruling clan of the Jiang surname took Tan city as a fief and later adopted it as a surname; and there was an ancient Xianbei surname Tan. The claim of descent from Jiang Taigong is supported only by legend.

Reference: 檀姓_檀姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Early Records and Archaeology

The Zuo Zhuan records that Tan Boda was enfeoffed at He. In 1976, the “Wu King Conquers Shang Gui” was excavated in Lintong, Shaanxi; its owner was Tan Li, so it is commonly called the Li Gui. It is regarded as the “first bronze vessel of the Western Zhou” and is now held by the National Museum of China.

Reference: 檀姓_檀姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Ancestor Entering Fujian

The Tan lineage's founding ancestor to enter Fujian was Tan Mande, who entered Fujian in 1482, the eighteenth year of the Chenghua era of the Ming dynasty. His original settlement was Wenzao Jing in Yongtai, and his descendants spread throughout Fujian.

Reference: 檀姓_檀姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Tan Daoji served as a Southern Song expeditionary general; Tan Gu was a Xining-period metropolitan graduate of the Northern Song; and Tan Cui was a Qing-dynasty calligrapher.

Reference: 檀姓_檀姓的来源和历史_百家姓