Interpretation of the Yin (尹) Clan Totem

Definition of the Character: "尹" (Yin) means to govern or to manage. It is an associative compound character. In Oracle Bone Script, the character depicts a hand holding a staff or a scepter, symbolizing authority and the power to rule.

Origin: Ban, a son of Shao Hao (the leader of the ancient Dongyi tribes), served as the Gongzheng (an official in charge of various crafts and state-run industries). He was enfeoffed at Yincheng (located northwest of modern-day Yiyang County, Henan; southeast of Xin'an County; or in Xi County, Shanxi). His descendants held this official post for generations and adopted the name of their fief as their surname, establishing the Yin clan.

• Ancestral Founder: Yin Ban (Son of Shao Hao)

• Ancestral Homeland: Yincheng (Henan: Xin'an/Yiyang)

• Prefectural Seats and Hall Names: Tianshui, Hejian; Hejing Hall, Wenhe Hall

• Current Rank / Population: 79th most common / Approx. 3.46 million

• Song Dynasty "Hundred Family Surnames" Rank: 100th

• Extant Genealogies: 122 volumes