Top 100 Noms de Famille Chinois - Histoire, Significations & Origines

Les noms de famille chinois, connus sous le nom de 姓 (xìng), sont parmi les plus anciens noms de famille au monde avec plus de 5 000 ans d'histoire. Contrairement aux conventions de nommage occidentales, les noms de famille chinois viennent en premier, suivis du prénom. Voici les 100 noms de famille chinois les plus courants qui représentent plus de 85% de la population chinoise.

Histoire des Noms de Famille Chinois

The earliest Chinese surnames originated from tribal or clan names during the matriarchal society period. The character 姓 combines 'woman' (女) and 'born' (生), reflecting these matriarchal roots.

Classical texts identify eight sources of Chinese surnames: place names, official positions, occupations, royal grants, ancestral names, birth order, ethnic groups, and changes to avoid taboos.

The classic text '百家姓' (Bǎijiāxìng), written in the Song Dynasty, lists 411 surnames and was traditionally used to teach children to read.

Most Common Chinese Surnames

The following surnames represent the most common family names in China, covering over 85% of the population. Each has a unique history and cultural significance.

王 (Wáng)

#1

King

Derived from the royal families of ancient China. The character depicts the three levels of the universe connected by a vertical line, representing the king who connects heaven, earth, and humanity.

Population: Over 100 million

Distribution: Widespread across China, especially common in northern regions.

李 (Lǐ)

#2

Plum tree

Originated from the official title 'Dali' (大理) in charge of law enforcement. The founder lived under a plum tree, adopting it as the surname.

Population: Over 100 million

Distribution: Common throughout China, particularly in Henan and surrounding provinces.

张 (Zhāng)

#3

To draw a bow

Originated from the grandson of the Yellow Emperor, who invented the bow and arrow. The character shows a bow being drawn.

Population: Over 95 million

Distribution: Highly concentrated in northern and central China.

刘 (Liú)

#4

Battle axe

Associated with the Han Dynasty's founding emperor. Originally meant 'to kill' but evolved to represent the imperial Liu family.

Population: Over 70 million

Distribution: Widespread, with concentrations in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces.

陈 (Chén)

#5

Ancient state, to display

From the ancient state of Chen during the Zhou Dynasty. Descendants of Emperor Shun took the state name as their surname.

Population: Over 60 million

Distribution: Extremely common in southern China, especially Fujian and Guangdong.

杨 (Yáng)

#6

Poplar tree

From the Yang state during the Zhou Dynasty. The character combines 'tree' and 'expand,' representing the spreading poplar.

Population: Over 45 million

Distribution: Common in Sichuan and surrounding southwestern regions.

黄 (Huáng)

#7

Yellow

From the ancient Huang state. Yellow was the imperial color, associated with the earth and center in Chinese cosmology.

Population: Over 35 million

Distribution: Concentrated in southern China, particularly Guangdong and Fujian.

赵 (Zhào)

#8

To exceed, surname of ancient state

From the Zhao state during the Warring States period. The character originally meant 'to walk quickly.'

Population: Over 30 million

Distribution: Common in northern China, especially Shanxi and Hebei.

吴 (Wú)

#9

To speak loudly, ancient state

From the ancient Wu state in the Yangtze River Delta. The character combines 'mouth' and 'heaven.'

Population: Over 28 million

Distribution: Concentrated in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai region.

周 (Zhōu)

#10

Circumference, Zhou Dynasty

From the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), China's longest-lasting dynasty. The character represents cultivated fields.

Population: Over 25 million

Distribution: Widespread across China with concentrations in Hunan and Jiangsu.

Distribution Régionale des Noms de Famille

Northern China

Northern Chinese surnames often reflect ancient states and geographical features from the Yellow River region.

  • •Wang (王)
  • •Li (李)
  • •Zhang (张)
  • •Liu (刘)
  • •Zhao (赵)

Southern China

Southern Chinese surnames show greater diversity, often preserving ancient clan names and regional variations.

  • •Chen (陈)
  • •Huang (黄)
  • •Lin (林)
  • •Wu (吴)
  • •Zheng (郑)

Cultural Significance

Surname Inheritance

People with the same surname often feel kinship, even if not related. The phrase '同姓是一家' (same surname is one family) reflects this cultural bond.

Marriage Traditions

Historically, people with the same surname couldn't marry, based on the belief they shared common ancestry. This taboo has relaxed in modern times.

Naming Taboos

Traditionally, certain taboos exist around surnames, including avoiding the names of ancestors and emperors out of respect.

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