Shen Family History

Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 沈: (i) from Shen (沈) the name of an ancient state (possibly located in present-day Shanxi province) prior to the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the placename Shen (沈) the name of a fief (located in Pingyu in present-day Henan province) granted to Ji Zai also known as Dan Shu the tenth son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). After the state was annexed by the state of Cai in 506 BC people kept the name of the fiefdom as their surname. (iii) from Shen Lu (沈鹿) the name of a fief (located in Hubei province) granted to Zhen son of King Zhuang of Chu (ruler of the state of Chu died 591 BC). His descendants adopted part of the name of the fiefdom 沈 as their surname. Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 申 meaning ‘state explain’ in Chinese: (i) from Shen (申) an ancient state (located in Ningxia and Shaanxi provinces) also known as West Shen. After it was annexed by the state of Qin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) some people used the name of the state as their surname. (ii) from Shen (申) the name of a state (located in Nanyang in Henan province) also known as Southern Shen granted to Shen Bo (申伯 the Earl of Shen) uncle of King Xuan of Zhou (reigned 827–782 BC). After the state was annexed by the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) people kept the name of the state as their surname. (iii) from the placename Shen (申) the name of a fief (located in Nanyang in Henan province) granted to Shen Shu an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) from the placename Shen (申) the name of a fief (located in Xiangcheng in Henan province) granted to Shen Hou (Marquis of Shen) an official in the state of Zheng (located in part of present-day Shaanxi and Henan province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 慎 meaning ‘prudent’ in Chinese: (i) from placename Shen (慎) the name of a fief (located in present-day Anhui province) granted to Bai Gong Sheng (Duke of Bai) a noble in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from the first element of the personal name Shen Zhi (慎之) style name of Qin Huali student of the famous philosopher Mozi (or known as Micius) during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 莘 see Xin 1 (i). Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 孫 see Sun Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 陳 also another Mandarin form of the surname 諶 see Chen 1 and 7: Jewish (Ashkenazic): variant of Schoen .

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022