He (surname)

The surname He (simplified Chinese: 何; traditional Chinese: 何; pinyin: Hé) is a common Chinese surname. It is ranked as the 17th most common surname in Mainland China.

Origin:

The origin of the He surname is generally traced back to the Ji (姬) clan, the ancestral clan of the Zhou dynasty. According to historical records, King Wu of Zhou granted the state of Han (韓) to his son, known as Han Wan. During the Warring States period, the state of Han was conquered by the state of Qin. After the fall of Han, some descendants of the Han royal family adopted "He," referring to the surname of a Han official named He Zhizhang (何知章), as their surname to escape persecution. The surname is therefore associated with the state of Han.

Distribution:

The surname He is widely distributed throughout China, with a significant presence in provinces such as Sichuan, Guangdong, Hunan, and Zhejiang. Outside of mainland China, it is also found among overseas Chinese communities around the world.

Notable People:

Numerous notable individuals have borne the surname He. These include:

• He Zhizhang: A famous Tang dynasty poet and official.
• He Yingqin: A prominent military general during the Republican era of China.
• He Lian: A general of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
• He Jiong: A modern Chinese television host.

Variations and Romanization:

The surname He is generally romanized as "He" in Pinyin. In other romanization systems, such as Wade-Giles, it may be represented differently.

Cultural Significance:

Like many Chinese surnames, the surname He carries historical and cultural significance, reflecting its lineage and association with historical events and figures. It is a marker of identity and connection to family history.