Yin Surname

Surname Overview

The surname Yin is pronounced yín, is currently uncommon, and is a Han Chinese surname.

Reference: 鄞姓_鄞姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Toponymic Origin

The area of Yin belonged to Yue during the Spring and Autumn period and is now Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang. The surname is described as deriving from the place name, with its bearers regarded as descendants of the King of Yue.

Reference: 鄞姓_鄞姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The surname Yin is included in Xinbian Qianjiaxing. Xing shi kaolüe explains it as “Yin was the name of a county; the surname derived from the place,” and Xingyuan also records its origin.

Reference: 鄞姓_鄞姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution and Migration Clues

The Yin surname is found in Chenghai in Guangdong, Ningde in Fujian, Yuyao in Zhejiang, Anxi in Fujian, and Taiwan. Among contemporary tested users, ancestral hometowns are mainly distributed in Guangdong and Fujian.

Reference: 鄞姓_鄞姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Contemporary Family and Genetic Markers

In the contemporary sample, Yin users are Han Chinese. The family database records one Pingtung Yin family in Taiwan, and shows two Y genetic marker types, O-SK1692 and C-MF1692, each accounting for 50%.

Reference: 鄞姓起源分布与家谱家族

Notable People

Historical Figures

Yin Ren lived during the Yuan dynasty, served as military defense vice magistrate of Chaozhou Prefecture, and settled in Longxidu, Chaozhou, Guangdong. Yin Pingshan lived during the Ming dynasty and was from Houjing Village in Nan'an, Fujian. Yin Kangcheng received special presentation as a Presented Scholar in the Song dynasty and later served as magistrate of Liancheng County, Fujian.

Reference: 鄞姓_鄞姓的来源和历史_百家姓