Interpretation of the Fan (范) Clan Totem

Definition of the Character: According to the Shuowen Jiezi (an ancient Chinese dictionary), "范" (Fan) refers to a type of grass. In Small Seal Script, the character structure is composed of the "Grass" (草) radical and the "Water" (水) radical.

Origin: During the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, Du Bo, the ruler of the State of Du, was framed and executed despite his innocence. His son, Xishu, fled to the State of Jin and was appointed as a Shishi (a magistrate in charge of prohibitions, litigation, and punishment). Xishu's son, Wei, adopted his father's title as a surname, becoming the Shi (士) clan. Shi Wei's grandson, Shi Hui (courtesy name Ji), was a prominent high official of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period, serving four successive dukes. In 593 BC, he led the army to conquer the Red Di tribes, eventually rising to the rank of Grand Marshal and Grand Tutor, overseeing national affairs. Shi Hui was originally granted the fief of Sui (modern-day Jiexiu, Shanxi) and later received the fief of Fan (modern-day Fan County, Henan). After his death, he was posthumously honored as Fan Wuzi. His descendants adopted the name of this fief as their surname, establishing the Fan clan.

• Ancestral Founder: Fan Shihui (Fan Wuzi)

• Ancestral Homeland: Fan County, Henan Province

• Prefectural Seats and Hall Names: Gaoping, Nanyang; Houle Hall, Zhiben Hall

• Current Rank / Population: 59th most common / Approx. 4.85 million

• Song Dynasty "Hundred Family Surnames" Rank: 46th

• Extant Genealogies: 245 volumes