Wen Surname

Surname Overview

The Wen surname is a multi-ethnic, multi-origin surname group. It is not listed among the top 3,000 surnames in present-day mainland China, and ranks 788th in Taiwan.

Reference: 问姓_问姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Zi-Surname Origin

One Zi-surname branch derives from the Wen-gong and Wen-xin branches of the Yuan lineage, descendants of Shang Tang. These names originated as official titles, and Wen-gong was later shortened to the single surname Wen.

Reference: 问姓_问姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Ji-Surname Origin

One Ji-surname branch derives from the Wen surname. Descendants of Xi Zhi took Wen from his fief, and one branch later moved to Zhenru and changed Wen to the homophonous character Wen to avoid calamity.

Reference: 问姓_问姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Jiang and Jurchen Origins

One Jiang-surname branch is attributed to descendants of Lü Bu, Marquis Wen. After the descendants of Wen Ge were persecuted at the end of the Southern Song, some fugitives adopted the homophonous character Wen. A separate Jurchen branch descended from Wendihan Pudu adopted the Chinese homophone Wen from the initial sound of the original surname.

Reference: 问姓_问姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Records and Historical Figures

The Wen surname is recorded in the Continued Comprehensive Gazetteer, Clan Records section. The Chinese Dictionary of Characters, citing Sources of Surnames, identifies it as descended from Wen-gong and Wen-xin. Historical figures include Wen Zhi of the late Eastern Jin and Wen Zhi of Baoying in the Ming dynasty.

Reference: 问姓_问姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies, Halls, and Distribution

The commanderies include Dongguan, Lujiang, Liaodong, Taiyuan, Xiangzhou, Tanjun, Xiangyang, Baoying, and Huanzhou. Their corresponding hall names are Dongguan Hall, Lujiang Hall, Liaodong Hall, Taiyuan Hall, Xiangzhou Hall, Tanjun Hall, Xiangyang Hall, Baoying Hall, and Huanzhou Hall, all established from commandery titles. The surname is distributed in places including Huainan, Wushen Banner, Baoying in Yangzhou, Tancheng, and Taiwan.

Reference: 问姓_问姓的来源和历史_百家姓