Yi Surname

Surname Overview

Yi is pronounced yì and is a relatively rare surname found among both Han and Miao people.

Reference: 奕姓_奕姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Early Textual Records

The Xing shi kao lue cites the Bo gu tu for a Shang bronze vessel of Yi Che and the Xing pu for Zhong Yi, grandson of Zhou Bolu, whose descendants became the Yi clan after his enfeoffment at Yan.

Reference: 奕姓_奕姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Halls and Branches

Recorded hall names are Sanhuai, Huaiyin, Shide, and Zhihe. Sanhuai Hall is relatively well known; the Shangyu branch mainly used Shide Hall, and one branch later changed to Zhihe Hall.

Reference: 奕姓:姓氏淵源,姓氏堂號,家族祠堂,家譜文獻,人口分布,字輩排行,歷史名人,小奕家_中文百科全書

Migration and Distribution

The Yi surname is mainly concentrated in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area. Many clan members migrated outward during the Guang generation because of population pressure and river changes in the Shaoxing area, with Ningbo, Jiaxing, and Shanghai receiving many migrants.

Reference: 奕姓:姓氏淵源,姓氏堂號,家族祠堂,家譜文獻,人口分布,字輩排行,歷史名人,小奕家_中文百科全書

Genealogy and Generation Names

Shangyu Generation Names

From the fifteenth generation, beginning with the Bing generation, the Shangyu Yi lineage divided into eastern and western branches. The western sequence is Bing You Gong, Zhao, Chun, Guang, Ji, You, Chang or Jin, and Yong; the eastern sequence is Bing Hua Gong, Zhao, Chun, Guang, Jia or Jia, Cheng, Jin or Jin or Mao, and Fu.

Reference: 奕姓:姓氏淵源,姓氏堂號,家族祠堂,家譜文獻,人口分布,字輩排行,歷史名人,小奕家_中文百科全書