Shi Family History

Chinese:: Mandarin form of the surname 石 meaning ‘stone’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Shi Que (石碏) a highly esteemed official in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) from one of the 'Nine Sogdian Surnames’ also known as ‘nine surnames of Zhaowu’ because their ancestors came from Zhaowu an ancient city in present-day Gansu province in northwestern China. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–987 AD) there were nine Sogdian states in Central Asia one of which was called Shi (石) in Chinese. Between 649 and 655 AD these states submitted to Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628 - 683 AD). The natives and their descendants from the state of Shi (石) in China acquired the surname Shi (石). (iii) from the second element of the personal name Zi Shi (子石) style name of a prince of the state of Zheng and another prince of the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iv) from the second element of the personal name Bo Shi (伯石) style name of an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) adopted as a surname by the Wu Shi Lan (烏石蘭) family from the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). (vi) adopted in place of several other surnames including Zhang (張) Ran (冉) and Lou (婁). Mandarin form of the surname 史 meaning ‘history’ or ‘official historiographer’ in Chinese: (i) said to be borne by descendants of Cang Jie the official historiographer during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). Cang Jie is said to have been the inventor of Chinese characters. (ii) from Shi (史) post name of an official in charge of recording historical events during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). The surname was subsequently adopted as a surname by descendants of official historiographers in many states during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from one of the 'Nine Sogdian Surnames’ also known as ‘nine surnames of Zhaowu’ because their ancestors came from Zhaowu an ancient city in present-day Gansu province in northwestern China. During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–987 AD) there were nine Sogdian states in Central Asia one of which was called Shi (史) in Chinese. Between 649 and 655 AD these states submitted to Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628 - 683 AD). (iv) adopted as a surname by the A Shi Na (阿史那) family members of a Turkic tribe during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD). (v) borne by descendants of Shi Ji Xian(史繼先) who was endowed with the surname Shi (史) by Emperor Suzong of Tang (reigned 756–762 AD). Mandarin form of the surname 施 meaning ‘give grant’ or ‘execute’ in Chinese: (i) from Shi (施) the name of an ancient state (probably located in Shandong or Hubei province) which existed during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) borne by the descendants of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). The Shi family was one of the seven clans of the Shang dynasty that were sent to the state of Wey after the annihilation of the Shang dynasty. (iii) from the first element of the personal name Shi Fu (施父) style name of Wei son of the Duke Hui of Lu (ruler of the state of Lu reigned 768–723 BC) Shi Fu was said to be good at music and later became a talented official in the state of Lu. Mandarin form of the surname 師 meaning ‘teacher musician’ or ‘leaders’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Shi (師) the ancient appellation of official musicians whose descendants acquired Shi (師) as their surname. (ii) from the first element of the post name Shi Yin (師尹) an official post during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (iii) adopted in place of the surname 尹 by Shi An Shi (師安石) an official who lived during the Jin dynasty (1115–1234 AD). Mandarin form of the surname 時 meaning ‘time hour’ in Chinese: (i) from the placename Shi (時) the name of a fief (probably located in present-day Henan province) granted to Lai an official in the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) a descendant of one of the royal families of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (ii) from Shi (時) the name of an ancient state (located in Shandong province) which was annexed by the state of Chu. (iii) from the personal name Shi (時) style name of Shen Shu Shi (申叔時) an official who lived in the state of Chu at some time during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). Mandarin form of the surname 釋 a simplified Chinese form referring to Siddhartha Gautama or Gautama Buddha the founder of Buddhism. This surname is mainly borne by the people who were introduced to or converted to Buddhism.7: Mandarin form of the surname 侍 meaning ‘serve’ in Chinese: (i) from part of the official post names Shi Zhong (侍中) and Chang Shi (常侍) official posts in charge of providing service for the emperors during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). (ii) shortened form of the Chinese compound surname Shi-Qi (侍其).8: variant Romanization of the surname 司 see Si 9: variant Romanization of the surname 佘 see She

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