Han (surname)
Encyclopedia
Han is a common transliteration
of the Chinese surname 韩 (simp.) or 韓 (trad.), pronounced Hán, and the Korean surname 한 (hanja 韓)
. The spelling "Han" is based on China's
pinyin system
and so used throughout Mainland China. Spelling can vary from 'Hon' in Cantonese-speaking areas to 'Hang' in Hainan
. The Korean version is sometimes spelled 'Hahn'.
Less common Chinese
surnames romanized
as Han include: 寒 (Hán) and 汉 (simp. Hàn) or 漢 (trad. Hàn).
Han (韩) is currently ranked 25th in China in terms of the number of bearers at around 8 million persons.
' (Jì) is an ancient Chinese surname. It is the surname of the Yellow Emperor
and the Zhou
ruling family. A descendent of King Wu of Zhou
, Wan, was given land in Hanyuan. Wan's descendants created the State of Han
during the Warring States Period
. When the state was conquered by Qin
in 230 BC
, members of the ruling family adopted Han '韩' as their last name.
.
During the reforms of Emperor Xiao Wen of Northern Wei
, the Xianbei
last name 'Dahan', 大汗 (dà hàn) in Chinese, was changed to Han '韩' because the two names sound similar after 'Da' or '大' is dropped.
Manchu clan names Hacihuri '哈思呼哩' (Hā Sī Hū Lī), Hangiya '韩佳' (Hán Jiā), Hanja '罕扎' (Hàn Zhā), Hanyan '翰颜' (Hán Yán), and Gilate '吉喇特' (Jí Lǎ Tè) were changed to Han '韩'.
had a son Chang Yi (昌意), who had a son with the given name Han Liu (韩流). Those who claimed to be Han Liu's descendants adopted Han as their last name.
around 1370. The chief of the four upper clans around this time was Han Pao-yuan and Ming granted him office of centurion, it was at this time the people of his four clans took Han as their surname. The other chief Han Shan-pa of the four lower Salar clans got the same office from Ming, and his clans were the ones who took Ma as their surname.
Ma and Han are the two most widepsread names among the salar. Ma is a Salar surname for the same reason it is a common Hui
surname, Ma substitutes for Muhammad. The upper four clans of the Salar assumed the surname Han and lived west of Xunhua. One of these Salar surnamed Han was Han Yimu, a Salar officer who served under General Ma Bufang
. He fought in the Kuomintang Islamic Insurgency in China (1950–1958)
, leading Salars in a revolt in 1952 and 1958. Han Youwen
was another Salar General, who served in the Communist People's Liberation Army
.
Transliteration
Transliteration is a subset of the science of hermeneutics. It is a form of translation, and is the practice of converting a text from one script into another...
of the Chinese surname 韩 (simp.) or 韓 (trad.), pronounced Hán, and the Korean surname 한 (hanja 韓)
Han (Korean name)
Han is the common English spelling of 한, a common Korean family name. According to the 2000 census, 한 is the 7th most common surname in the Republic of Korea...
. The spelling "Han" is based on China's
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
pinyin system
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
and so used throughout Mainland China. Spelling can vary from 'Hon' in Cantonese-speaking areas to 'Hang' in Hainan
Hainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
. The Korean version is sometimes spelled 'Hahn'.
Less common Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
surnames romanized
Romanization
In linguistics, romanization or latinization is the representation of a written word or spoken speech with the Roman script, or a system for doing so, where the original word or language uses a different writing system . Methods of romanization include transliteration, for representing written...
as Han include: 寒 (Hán) and 汉 (simp. Hàn) or 漢 (trad. Hàn).
Han (韩) is currently ranked 25th in China in terms of the number of bearers at around 8 million persons.
From '姬' surname
'姬Ji (surname)
姬=Ji is the family name of the family in control of the Zhou Dynasty , which followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty in China.Thirty-nine members of the family ruled over China during this period.Ji has...
' (Jì) is an ancient Chinese surname. It is the surname of the Yellow Emperor
Yellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC...
and the Zhou
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
ruling family. A descendent of King Wu of Zhou
King Wu of Zhou
King Wu of Zhōu or King Wu of Chou was the first sovereign, or ruler of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. The dates of his reign are 1046-1043 BCE or 1049/45-1043. Various sources quoted that he died at the age of 93, 54 or 43. He was considered a just and able leader. Zhou Gong Dan was one of his...
, Wan, was given land in Hanyuan. Wan's descendants created the State of Han
Han (state)
Han was a kingdom during the Warring States Period in China, located in modern-day Shanxi and Henan. Not to be confused with South Korea which shares the same character....
during the Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
. When the state was conquered by Qin
Qin
-Chinese dynasties and states:*Qin , a state of China during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty*Qin Dynasty , which followed Qin's unification of China in 221 BC and ended in 206 BC*Da Qin , Roman Empire, 202 BC to AD 220...
in 230 BC
230 BC
Year 230 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Barbula and Pera...
, members of the ruling family adopted Han '韩' as their last name.
From the transcription of non-Han names
Non-Han ethnic groups tend to adopt Chinese last names through the process known as sinicizationSinicization
Sinicization, Sinicisation or Sinification, is the linguistic assimilation or cultural assimilation of terms and concepts of the language and culture of China...
.
During the reforms of Emperor Xiao Wen of Northern Wei
Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei
Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei , personal name né Tuoba Hong , later Yuan Hong , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei....
, the Xianbei
Xianbei
The Xianbei were a significant Mongolic nomadic people residing in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia. The title “Khan” was first used among the Xianbei.-Origins:...
last name 'Dahan', 大汗 (dà hàn) in Chinese, was changed to Han '韩' because the two names sound similar after 'Da' or '大' is dropped.
Manchu clan names Hacihuri '哈思呼哩' (Hā Sī Hū Lī), Hangiya '韩佳' (Hán Jiā), Hanja '罕扎' (Hàn Zhā), Hanyan '翰颜' (Hán Yán), and Gilate '吉喇特' (Jí Lǎ Tè) were changed to Han '韩'.
From given name to surname
The mythical Yellow EmperorYellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC...
had a son Chang Yi (昌意), who had a son with the given name Han Liu (韩流). Those who claimed to be Han Liu's descendants adopted Han as their last name.
By Imperial Appointment
The Salar muslims voluntarily joined the Ming Dynasty. The Salar clan leaders each capitulated to the Ming DynastyMing Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
around 1370. The chief of the four upper clans around this time was Han Pao-yuan and Ming granted him office of centurion, it was at this time the people of his four clans took Han as their surname. The other chief Han Shan-pa of the four lower Salar clans got the same office from Ming, and his clans were the ones who took Ma as their surname.
Ma and Han are the two most widepsread names among the salar. Ma is a Salar surname for the same reason it is a common Hui
Hui people
The Hui people are an ethnic group in China, defined as Chinese speaking people descended from foreign Muslims. They are typically distinguished by their practice of Islam, however some also practice other religions, and many are direct descendants of Silk Road travelers.In modern People's...
surname, Ma substitutes for Muhammad. The upper four clans of the Salar assumed the surname Han and lived west of Xunhua. One of these Salar surnamed Han was Han Yimu, a Salar officer who served under General Ma Bufang
Ma Bufang
Ma Bufang was a prominent Muslim Ma clique warlord in China during the Republic of China era, ruling the northwestern province of Qinghai. His rank was Lieutenant-general...
. He fought in the Kuomintang Islamic Insurgency in China (1950–1958)
Kuomintang Islamic Insurgency in China (1950–1958)
The Kuomintang Islamic Insurgency in China refers to a continuation of the Chinese Civil War by Muslim Kuomintang National Revolutionary Army forces in Northwest China, in the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang, and another insurgency in Yunnan....
, leading Salars in a revolt in 1952 and 1958. Han Youwen
Han Youwen
Han Youwen was an ethnic Salar Muslim General in the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China. He was born in Hualong Hui Autonomous County in Qinghai province.-Career:...
was another Salar General, who served in the Communist People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
.
Prominent people with surname 韩/韓
- Han DangHan DangHan Dang was a military general of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
(韩当/韓當), general of the Three Kingdoms period - Han DongfangHan DongfangHan Dongfang has been an advocate for workers' rights in China for more than two decades during which time he has won numerous international awards including the 1993 Democracy Award from the U.S...
(韩东方/韓東方), human rights activist - Han FeiHan FeiHan Fei was a Chinese philosopher who, along with Li Si, Gongsun Yang, Shen Dao and Shen Buhai, developed the doctrine of the School of Law or Legalism...
(韩非/韓非), philosopher of the Warring States period - Han GanHan GanHan Gan was a Tang Dynasty painter.He came from a poor family in either Chang'an, modern day Xi'an, Shaanxi; Lantian, modern day Shaanxi; or Daliang, modern day Kaifeng, Henan. As a young man, Han Gan was recognized by Wang Wei, a prominent poet, who sponsored Han in learning arts...
(韩干/韓幹), painter of the Tang Dynasty - Han Geng (韩庚/韓庚), singer and actor
- Han Hong (韩红/韓紅), singer and songwriter
- Han Lao DaHan Lao DaHan Lao Da is a Singaporean playwright, as well as founder and principal of Han Language Centre. Han received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions in the Singaporean drama scene, and is also recognised for his xiangsheng contributions in Singapore....
(韩劳达/韓勞達), Singaporean playwright - Han MeilinHan MeilinHan Meilin is a famous Chinese artist most recognized today for his creation of the Fuwa dolls for the 2008 Beijing olympics...
(韩美林/韓美林), artist - Han Sai PorHan Sai PorHan Sai Por is a Singaporean sculptor. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts , East Ham College of Art, Wolverhampton College of Art and Lincoln University, New Zealand, she worked as a teacher and later as a part-time lecturer at NAFA, the LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, and the...
(韩少芙/韓少芙), Singaporean sculptor - Han ShaogongHan ShaogongHan Shaogong is a Chinese novelist and fictionist.Han was born in Hunan, China. While relying on traditional Chinese culture, in particular Chinese mythology, folklore, Taoism and Buddhism as source of inspiration, he also borrows freely from Western literary techniques...
(韩少功/韓少功), novelist - Han ShizhongHan ShizhongHan Shizhong was a Chinese general of the late Northern Song Dynasty and the early Southern Song Dynasty. He dedicated his whole life to serving the Song Dynasty, and performed many legendary deeds. It is said that he had scars all over his body and, by the time he retired, there were only four...
(韩世忠/韓世忠), general of the Southern Song Dynasty - Han XiaopengHan XiaopengHan Xiaopeng is a freestyle skier who competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and won gold in the men's aerials event. In this discipline he also won the World Championships in 2007. Despite these great achievements, he has yet to win a World Cup competition...
(韩晓鹏/韓曉鵬), freestyle skier - Han XianchuHan XianchuHan Xianchu was a general of the Chinese Communist Party. Han participated in many military campaigns and battles such as Battle of Pingxingguan, Liaoshen Campaign, Pingjin Campaign, Hainan Campaign, and the Korean War...
(韩先楚/韓先楚), general in the People's Liberation Army - Han Xiangzi (韩湘子/韓湘子), one of the Eight Immortals
- Han XinHán XìnHan Xin was a military general who served Liu Bang during the Chu–Han contention and contributed greatly to the founding of the Han Dynasty...
(韩信/韓信), general of the Western Han Dynasty - King Xin of Han (韩王信/韓王信), a vassal ruler under Emperor Gaozu of Han
- Han XinyunHan XinyunHan Xinyun is a Chinese tennis player. Her career highest ranking is 165th in the world, which she achieved on February 1, 2010. Han had reached a WTA tour doubles final before in China were she and her partner Xu Yifan lost to the pairing of Caroline Wozniacki and Anabel Medina Garrigues. Han has...
(韩馨蕴/韓馨蘊), tennis player - Han YouwenHan YouwenHan Youwen was an ethnic Salar Muslim General in the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China. He was born in Hualong Hui Autonomous County in Qinghai province.-Career:...
(韓有文), general in the National Revolutionary Army - Han YuHan YuHan Yu , born in Nanyang, Henan, China, was a precursor of Neo-Confucianism as well as an essayist and poet, during the Tang dynasty. The Indiana Companion calls him "comparable in stature to Dante, Shakespeare or Goethe" for his influence on the Chinese literary tradition . He stood for strong...
(韩愈/韓愈), poet and philosopher of the Tang Dynasty - Han ZhengHan ZhengHan Zheng is the current mayor of Shanghai, the 13th to serve in the position since the founding of the People's Republic of China...
(韩正/韓正), mayor of Shanghai - Hon Sui SenHon Sui SenHon Sui Sen was born in Penang in the British Straits Settlements.-Early life:A Hakka, he was educated at Saint Xavier's Institution. Hon was top-placed in the 1932 Senior Cambridge Certificate Examination...
(韩瑞生/韓瑞生), Singaporean politician
See also
- Change of Xianbei names to Han namesChange of Xianbei names to Han namesThe Change of Xianbei family names to Han names was part of a larger sinicization campaign. It was at its peak intensity under Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei dynasty in 496.-Background:...
- list of common Chinese surnames
- Han (Korean name)Han (Korean name)Han is the common English spelling of 한, a common Korean family name. According to the 2000 census, 한 is the 7th most common surname in the Republic of Korea...
External links
- http://english.people.com.cn/200507/21/eng20050721_197549.html Chinese surname history: Han