He or 何 - The Roots of Chinese Surnames: Exploring Heritage and History
The He (何) surname, one of the most prominent family names in China today, boasts a fascinating history with diverse origins.
Among these, two stand out as the most ancient and widely acknowledged.
Ancient Beginnings: The Guiyi Tribe
The earliest known origin of the He surname can be traced back to a branch of the prehistoric Guiyi tribe.
This ancient He clan revered the lotus as their totem and eventually established a small kingdom known as the State of He.
Their deep cultural connection to nature symbolized a strong sense of identity and heritage.
Records from Shang Dynasty (1600 BC — 1046 BC) bronze inscriptions and oracle bones provide evidence of the He clan’s existence.
These inscriptions suggest that the He clan was a distant kin group of the Shang royal family and participated in state rituals, reflecting their connection to the Shang civilization.
The Han Connection: Rise and Fall of the State of Han
The second and more prominent origin of the He surname stems from the Han (韩) family line.
During the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC — 771 BC), the fifth son of King Wu of Zhou (? — 1043 BC) was granted a fief in the land of Han, where he established the State of Han.
This state flourished for centuries until it was conquered by the State of Jin in 757 BCE.
Despite the fall of Han, descendants of the Han family persevered.
A pivotal figure among them, Han Wan, served Duke Wu of Jin with distinction and was granted the former territory of the Han State.
This marked the resurgence of the Han clan, which grew increasingly powerful.
Rise and Fall of The State of Han
Later, in 453 BCE, they allied with two other powerful clans to divide the Jin State in a historic event known as the Partition of Jin.
This division led to the founding of three new states, which were officially recognized by the Zhou king in 403 BCE, with Han being one of them.
This new State of Han became one of the Seven Warring States, leaving a lasting mark on Chinese history.
The State of Han gained renown for its expertise in crafting bows, crossbows, and swords.
Despite their tenacious resistance, they ultimately fell to the powerful Qin State in 230 BCE during the fiercely contested Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC).
This period was marked by intense power struggles among various states vying for dominance.
Formation and Enduring Legacy of the He Surname
After the fall of Han, many of its people dispersed across China.
One group migrated to the Jianghuai region, where the local dialect pronounced Han (韩) as He (何).
Over time, this linguistic shift transformed their surname from Han to He, forming one of the primary sources of the modern He surname.
Following its ancient origins, the He surname steadily flourished, spreading across China and beyond.
The lineage of He has been carried by countless individuals who have significantly contributed to Chinese society, culture, and history.
Today, the He surname remains one of the most populous and enduring family names in China.
It carries the legacy of ancient tribes, the rise and fall of kingdoms, and the resilience of a people who adapted and thrived through centuries of change.
This rich heritage ensures that the He surname continues to be a symbol of strength, history, and cultural significance.
