shī 师

Migration and Distribution (Lack of information) The Shi surname is not listed among the top 100 surnames in the Mainland and Taiwan. According to the research in "Xing Pu" (Surname Records) and "Yuan He Xing Zuan" (A Compilation of Surnames in the Yuanhe Period), during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties in ancient times, there were officials in charge of music called "Shi", such as Shi Juan in the Shang Dynasty and Shi Yin in the Zhou Dynasty. Later, literati who were good at music were also called "Shi". For example, Shi Kuang in the State of Jin, Shi Yi in the State of Lu, and Shi Li, Shi Chu, Shi Hui in the State of Zheng were all recorded in historical documents. They were all proficient in rhythm and good at performing, and the art of music flourished during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The Shi surname originated from music officials and musicians. In addition, it is said in the ancient book "Zhou Li Chun Guan" (Rites of Zhou - Spring Officials), "Shi Shi (a certain official position) stood on the left of the Tiger Gate and was in charge of the royal court." And indeed, a stone gate was unearthed from a Han Dynasty tomb in Gansu. Under the tiger's head on the left stone gate stood a person of the Shi clan, who served as a guard and steward for the king's main palace. This indicates that there is another origin of the Shi surname. The prominent branches of the Shi surname originated from the areas of Taiyuan, Langya, and Pingyuan.