Tan Surname

Origins

Zi-Clan Origin

One branch derives from the Zi clan. The state of Tan descended from Weizi of Song; after it was conquered by Chu in the time of Lord Tan, his descendants adopted the state name as their surname.

Reference: 谈氏家谱网 提供3个省区市的26部谈氏家谱、谈氏族谱

Si-Clan Origin

One branch derives from the Si clan. The former territory of the viscount state of Tan was at present-day Donglongshan Town, east of Jinan, Shandong. After Qi destroyed it in the tenth year of Duke Zhuang of Lu, one descendant branch became the Tan surname, with a history of more than 2,600 years.

Reference: 谈氏家谱网 提供3个省区市的26部谈氏家谱、谈氏族谱

Ji-Clan Origin

One branch derives from the Ji clan and is associated with descendants of Shaohao. Its state of Tan was also written 郯 and was located southwest of present-day Tancheng, Shandong.

Reference: 谈氏家谱网 提供3个省区市的26部谈氏家谱、谈氏族谱

Migration and Distribution

Modern Population and Distribution

The modern Tan population is approximately 410,000, about 0.033% of China's population. Guangxi, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Hunan account for roughly 80%, with the principal distribution area centered on Guangxi.

Reference: 谈氏家谱网 提供3个省区市的26部谈氏家谱、谈氏族谱

Notable People

Tan Qian

Tan Qian, courtesy name Rumu, was a Qing-era native of Haining and a student of the late Ming. He lived in seclusion after the Qing conquest, was well versed in historical institutions and precedents, and wrote works including Guoque, Zaolin Ji, Beiyou Lu, and Xiyou Lu.

Reference: 《百家姓》第117姓：谈，谈姓来源、分布地域与名人介绍 | 速查君

Genealogy and Generation Names

Ningxiang Dunben Hall Lineage

The Ningxiang Tan genealogy records Dunben Hall and identifies Tan Wanyi as the founding migrant, who moved from Jishui, Jiangxi, to Tanjialing west of Ningxiang during the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty.

Reference: 谈氏家谱网 提供3个省区市的26部谈氏家谱、谈氏族谱