秦
Qin
Pronounced like: "Ch-een"
Other Spellings: Chin, Chun, Tsin, Tần, Shin
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Qin Family Name
Le nom de famille Qin est principalement issu du clan Ying (嬴), une lignée ancienne descendant de Gaoyao, ministre du légendaire empereur Shun. Sous la dynastie des Zhou occidentaux, Feizi, un descendant de ce clan, reçut du roi Xiao de Zhou un fief dans la vallée de Qin (actuel Gansu) en récompense de son talent pour l'élevage de chevaux. Ce territoire devint par la suite le puissant État de Qin. Après la chute de la dynastie Qin en 206 av. J.-C., de nombreux membres de la maison royale et des roturiers adoptèrent 'Qin' comme nom de famille pour honorer leur ancien État et préserver leur héritage ancestral.
What Does the Chinese Surname Qin Mean?
Le caractère 'Qin' (秦) désignait à l'origine une variété spécifique de céréale, souvent associée au riz fin ou aux céréales, comme l'indique son radical '禾' (grain). Historiquement, cependant, la signification du nom a évolué pour représenter l'État de Qin, la première dynastie impériale à unifier la Chine. Il incarne les thèmes de la fondation, de l'héritage impérial et de la transformation. Culturellement, il signifie la transition d'une collection d'États combattants vers un empire bureaucratique centralisé, portant un poids d'autorité, de structure et de permanence historique qui définit l'identité chinoise depuis plus de deux millénaires.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of Qin
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Chin | Hokkien/Teochew |
| Chun | Cantonese |
| Tsin | Wade-Giles |
| Tần | Vietnamese |
| Shin | Korean/Japanese |
Famous People With the Surname Qin
1. Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng) : Le premier empereur de Chine qui mit fin à la période des Royaumes combattants, unifia la nation et normalisa la langue écrite, la monnaie ainsi que les poids et mesures.
2. Qin Qiong (Qin Shubao) : Un général renommé du début de la dynastie Tang, célèbre pour sa bravoure et sa loyauté ; il est largement vénéré comme l'un des dieux des portes traditionnels chinois.
3. Qin Jiushao : Un brillant mathématicien de la dynastie des Song du Sud, auteur du 'Traité mathématique en neuf sections', qui introduisit le théorème des restes chinois au monde entier.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 秦 surname emphasize virtues such as integrity, diligence, and respect for one's ancestors. While specific wording may vary across regions and historical branches of the family, the spirit of these mottos is to honor the family line and live with moral responsibility in everyday life.
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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ
What does the Chinese surname Qin (秦) mean?+
The character 'Qin' (秦) originally referred to a specific variety of grain, often associated with fine rice or cereal, as indicated by its radical '禾' (grain). Historically, however, the meaning of the name has shifted to represent the State of Qin, the first imperial dynasty to unify China. It embodies themes of foundation, imperial legacy, and transformation. Culturally, it signifies the transition from a collection of warring states to a centralized bureaucratic empire, carrying a weight of authority, structure, and historical permanence that has defined the Chinese identity for over two millennia.
How common is the surname Qin?+
The surname Qin ranks approximately #78 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 秦?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Qin. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Ch-een".
How many Chinese surnames are there?+
Historically, there are over 4,000 Chinese surnames, but only about 500 are in common use today. Our database covers these 500+ essential family names.
What are the most common Chinese last names?+
The most common Chinese last names are Wang (王), Li (李), and Zhang (张). Together, they account for over 20% of the population in China.
Are Chinese names written surname first?+
Yes, in Chinese culture, the surname is written first, followed by the given name. For example, in 'Li Shimin', 'Li' is the family name.
How can I find the meaning of my Chinese last name?+
Every Chinese surname has a distinct meaning rooted in ancient clans, professions, or elements. You can search our directory to find the specific origin of your name.
What is the 'Hundred Family Surnames' (Baijiaxing)?+
The 'Hundred Family Surnames' (百家姓) is a classic Chinese text compiling common surnames. Originally containing over 400 last names, it is a foundational piece of Chinese cultural identity.
Are there two-character Chinese surnames?+
Yes. While most are single-character (like Wang or Li), there are compound surnames (复姓 - Fùxìng) consisting of two characters, such as Ouyang (欧阳), Zhuge (诸葛), and Sima (司马).
Do Chinese women change their last name after marriage?+
Traditionally, no. Chinese women keep their maiden surname after marriage. It is very rare for a wife to adopt her husband's last name in Chinese culture.
What is the oldest Chinese surname?+
The oldest Chinese surnames often contain the 'woman' radical (女), such as Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), and Yao (姚), tracing back thousands of years to ancient matriarchal societies.
Why do so many people share the same Chinese last name?+
Due to centuries of population growth, clan consolidations, and the historical adoption of imperial surnames, a massive portion of the population now shares a small pool of common last names.
How are Chinese last names inherited?+
A Chinese surname is almost universally inherited from the father, maintaining the patrilineal clan lineage spanning dozens of generations.