Why do surnames come into being?

1. Surnames have different historical processes, and the same surname is not necessarily a source. For example, "He", some original surnames are "Helan" or "He", which is simplified as "He"; Some people used to be surnamed Qing, but in order to avoid the emperor's taboo, they changed to "He".

Surnames will also change for political, geographical, ethnic and other reasons. Therefore, for thousands of years, the origins of China's surnames are varied and there are different opinions, but they can be summarized as follows.

1. In matrilineal clan society, the mother is the surname.

2. Take the place of birth and residence as the surname.

3. Take the ancient country as the surname.

4. Take the fief as the surname.

5. Take the official position as the surname.

6. The son of heaven gives his surname.

7. Take Zuyan as the surname.

8. Take surnames as myths and legends.

9. Change one's surname because of taboos or for some reason.

With the development of history and the complexity of nationalities, some surnames are transliterated in national languages. For example, the descendants of Xiongnu leader Shan Yu have many surnames. It can be seen that the surname is a symbol, not as mysterious and sacred as advocated by the defenders of the feudal patriarchal clan system.

2. Rao and Yao are family. Their origins can be traced back to ancient Yu Shun. Because it comes from the ruins of Yao, it takes Yao as its surname.