Li (酈, simplified 郦) is a Chinese family name. In the classic text Bǎijiāxìng (《百家姓》) it appears as the 303rd entry. The surname is relatively uncommon in contemporary China.
Pronunciation
- Mandarin: Lì (pinyin)
- Zhuyin: ㄌㄧˋ
Historical origin
According to traditional genealogical accounts, the surname originates from the ancient state of Li (郦国). The state is said to have been established after Yu the Great (禹) received the imperial succession from Shun (舜) and conferred the territory of Li upon a descendant of the Yellow Emperor, Jiu (涓). The Li state was later conquered by the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period; its surviving members were subsequently enfeoffed by the Zhou king in Chenliu (present‑day Kaifeng, Henan). These descendants adopted the name of their former state as their clan name, becoming the Li (酈) lineage.
The surname is also recorded as a branch of the ancient Feng (风) clan, which traces its mythological ancestry to the goddess Nüwa (女娲) of the Li Mountain (骊山) lineage.
Cultural references
- The surname is listed in the Bǎijiāxìng, a rhymed compilation of common Chinese surnames.
- In Vietnamese, the character 酈 is transliterated as “Lệ.”
Modern status
Li (酈) remains a rare surname in modern Chinese society, with few notable contemporary bearers.
Sources: Chinese Wikipedia entry for 郦姓 (酈) and related historical genealogical references.