Yùn (surname)

Yùn (simplified Chinese: 恽; traditional Chinese: 惲) is a relatively uncommon Chinese surname.

Origin and History:

The Yùn surname is believed to have originated from the state of Yun (妘), a small state during the Xia and Shang dynasties. The ruling family of Yun descended from the ancient Emperor Zhuanxu. After the state of Yun was conquered, some descendants adopted the name of their former state as their surname.

Another possible origin connects the surname to a different character pronounced Yùn (郓), also the name of a location.

Due to the rarity of the surname, definitive historical records and genealogical tracing are often challenging. The surname is most prevalent in certain regions of China, reflecting historical migration patterns.

Notable Individuals:

• Yùn Dīng (恽鼎): A Ming dynasty official known for his integrity.
• Yùn Shoupíng (恽寿平): A Qing dynasty painter and one of the "Six Masters of the Early Qing," renowned for his flower-and-bird paintings.

Distribution:

While not one of the 100 most common surnames in China, Yùn can be found in various provinces, including Jiangsu and Zhejiang, where historical figures with this surname were prominent.

Variants and Romanization:

The surname Yùn is generally written as 恽 (simplified Chinese) and 惲 (traditional Chinese). Romanization can vary slightly depending on the system used (e.g., Wade-Giles), but "Yùn" is the most common Pinyin transliteration.