Page 5 - Gan's Family History

3 | P a g e

Ti, who had 25 sons. Feudal plots mother and not one's father. Hence,
were given to 14 of his more capable the Chinese character for surname is
sons who took on new surnames made up of two individual characters
after the geographical location which meaning “woman” and meaning “to
they were given. This tradition give birth”. This indicated that early
persisted, so that it is estimated that Chinese followed the maternal line.
more than 60% of the new surnames
were named after some geographical

locality or another. Yan Family Surname
3

The Family or Surnames originated In the book “What's In A Chinese
from the name of the village in which Name” by Lin Shan - Federal
one lived or the family to which one Publication (2nd Edition 1985), there
belong, while Clan Name is derived are seventeen (17) Hanyu Pinyin Yan
from the name of the territory or the Surnames which is different in
title which might be posthumously Chinese character and its meaning.
granted by the emperor for some Do you know which Surname you
achievement made by a Noble. belong to?
Hence, only the Nobles had Surname
as well as Clan Names.
Yan blackish red
The feudal practice of that time also Yan handsome, beautiful,
disallowed ordinary citizens of a state bright red
from having the same surname as Yan prolong; extended,
the throne unless they were given protract; spread;
special permission to do so. Hence, continue
the expedient switch of surnames for Yan speech; word
many. Yan strict; severe
Yan beautiful
Other origins of Surnames include Yan scorching; blazing
following the designation of an
official position or title, changes in Yan rock
order to avoid political persecution or Yan study; research
surname bestowed by the emperor to Yan face; colour
loyal officials and generals.
Yan develop, evolve,
Some historian say that the Chinese perform, act
may even had surnames even before Yan a man of virtue &
the period of the Three Emperors and ability
Five King, that is, during the times of Yan ease & comfort
matriarchal society where Yan bright coloured &
recognition was given only to one's beautiful; gorgeous

3 Pinyin – Yan / Wade-Giles – Yen / Hokkien – Gan /
Cantonese - Ngan