I. Origins of the Surname: A Journey from Korean Refuge to Multi - ethnic Integration
The He（hé） surname, ranking as the 17th most common in China, is steeped in a rich and complex history that spans from ancient political exiles to ethnic blending. Its origins are multi - source and multi - ethnic in nature:
1. Changing Surname from Korean Descent of the Ji Clan due to Political Asylum
After the Qin Dynasty conquered the Han State in 230 BC, Han Yun, the second son of King An of Han (later renamed He Yun), led his clan to flee south to the Huaihe River Basin. The local dialect in that area made the pronunciation of "Han" and "He" very similar. To avoid persecution by the Qin Dynasty, the descendants of the Han clan changed their surname to "He". This branch originated in Lujiang, Anhui, and gave rise to the "Lujiang He Clan". They honor Han Jian (later renamed He Jian) as the founding ancestor of the He surname.
2. Sinicization of Minority Surnames
Xianbei's Heba Clan: During the sinicization reform promoted by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Heba and Helai clans of the Xianbei ethnic group changed their surnames to He.
Sogdians of the Nine Sogdian States in Central Asia: In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Sogdian people (one of the Nine Sogdian States) from Central Asia migrated to the Central Plains and adopted their state names as surnames.
Mongolian and Manchu Minorities: In the Yuan Dynasty, the Suonan family, a Tubo official, was granted the He surname. In the Qing Dynasty, some Manchu families such as the Hesheri clan also changed their surnames to He.
3. Special Historical Backgrounds
Some descendants of the "Xing He" (a female official title in the Han Dynasty) took the official title as their surname.
The Bosman family, Dutch - origin Jews, migrated to Hong Kong in the late Qing Dynasty and was sinicized into the He clan, giving rise to the well - known Ho Tung family.
II. Historical Figures: From Philosophy Masters to Olympic Champions
1. Pioneers in Thought and Academics
He Yan (Three Kingdoms Period): One of the founders of the Wei and Jin Dynasties' metaphysics. The story of "the powder - applying He Lang" showcases the elegant demeanor of the scholars during the Wei and Jin Dynasties. He also presided over the compilation of Commentary on The Analects, an important annotated version of the Confucian classic.
He Xiu (Eastern Han Dynasty): A master of modern text Confucian classics. He spent 17 years completing Exegesis of Gongyang Commentary on The Spring and Autumn Annals, laying the theoretical foundation for Gongyang studies.
2. Practitioners in Politics and Military
He Jin (Eastern Han Dynasty): A powerful consort kin official. His sister was the queen of Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He led the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which eventually triggered the Ten Eunuchs rebellion.
He Yingqin (Modern China): A military leader of the Nationalist Government, he participated in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Communist - Kuomintang negotiations.
3. Pioneers in Science and Art
He Chengtian (Southern Song Dynasty): An astronomer and atheist. He proposed an approximate value of pi, 3.1429, and founded the "Chengtian Tao" philosophical system.
He Xiangning (Modern China): A revolutionary and painter, one of the founders of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang. Her painting The Lion symbolizes national awakening.
He Chong (Contemporary China): The diving champion at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, demonstrating the breakthrough of sportsmanship.
III. Cultural Significance: Living Heritage of Clan Ethics and Architectural Art
1. Spiritual Codes of Prefectures and Halls
Lujiang Prefecture: The core birthplace, witnessing the historical event of the Han clan changing their surname to He.
Sangao Hall: Commemorating the reclusive spirit of the three He brothers (He Dian, He Qiu, and He Yin) in the Southern Dynasties.
2. Dual Carriers of Family Instructions and Architecture
The Family Instructions of the He Clan in Zhuji: With "filial piety, brotherly respect, loyalty, and faithfulness" as the core, it emphasizes "there is no better way of making a living than being diligent and thrifty", integrating Confucian ethics with the spirit of Huizhou merchants.
The He Ancestral Hall in Taixing: A five - courtyard building dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The existing building is a national cultural relic protection unit, witnessing the intersection of the clan and modern Chinese history (it once served as the headquarters of the Huangqiao Campaign).
3. Folk Customs and Intangible Cultural Heritage
The "Ancestral Tomb of the Founding Ancestor of the He Clan" in Lujiang, Anhui, has become a pilgrimage site for the He clan worldwide. Every Qingming Festival, thousands of clan members from home and abroad come here to pay homage to their ancestors.
IV. Social Influence: From Southward Migration to Modern Globalization
1. Population Migration and Regional Development
Southern Migration during the Jin Dynasty: The He clan was one of the "Eight Clans Moving to Fujian", contributing to the early development of Fujian.
South - East Asian Migration during the Ming and Qing Dynasties: The He clan from Fujian migrated to Southeast Asia, establishing commercial networks in Penang, Malacca and other places.
2. Contributions in Economy and Technology
Stanley Ho: A tycoon in the Macau gambling industry, his business empire reshaped the economic landscape of Southeast Asia.
He Jingtang: An architectural master, he designed the China Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, incorporating the traditional "Chinese red" into modern architectural language.
3. Cultural Bond in the Global Era
Overseas He Clan associations maintain cultural identity through clan meetings, digitalizing clan genealogies, etc. For example, the reconstruction of the He Ancestral Tomb in Lujiang, Anhui in 1994 was jointly funded by clan members worldwide.
Conclusion: The Resilience of Civilization in the Surname Gene
From the tragic flight of the Korean - descent clan to the millenary prominence of the "Lujiang He Clan"; from He Yan's metaphysical speculation to He Xiangning's revolutionary paintings, the history of the He surname is not only a family survival wisdom history but also a microcosm of the inclusiveness and innovation of Chinese civilization. The origin story of "Han and He from the same ancestry" is a typical response of Chinese culture to crises and changes - through language transformation and cultural integration, turning survival predicaments into opportunities for cultural continuation. Today, the 18 million members of the He clan around the world continue to write this cultural contract that spans time and space.