yán 严
百家姓 · Bai Jia Xing
Surname Origin
The origin of the surname "Yan": Yan is one of the relatively late - emerging surnames in China. It is a surname changed to avoid naming taboos. According to "Yuanhe Xingzuan" and "Tongzhi · Shizu Lue · Using Posthumous Titles as Surnames", the Yan family was originally the Zhuang family. During the Warring States period, King Lu of Chu had the posthumous title "Zhuang Wang", and some of his descendants took the surname Zhuang. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Ming of Han was Liu Zhuang. To avoid using the emperor's personal name, people with the surname Zhuang were ordered to change their surname to "Yan" (the characters "Zhuang" and "Yan" are synonymous). Zhuang Guang in the Western Han Dynasty later changed his name to Yan Guang. Around the time of the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there were some people who re - adopted the original surname "Zhuang", so there is a distinction between the Zhuang and Yan families.
Famous Story
Yan Song (1481–1568), styled Weizhong and known by the sobriquet Jiexi, was a native of Fenyi, Jiangxi during the Ming Dynasty. He served as the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Shizong. He monopolized power, accepted bribes, and persecuted those who opposed him. Later, he was impeached and removed from office. As his son, Yan Shifan, remained unrestrained, their property was confiscated, and he ended up living in a tomb shed and died there. Yan Song was good at calligraphy and proficient in poetry and prose, and he authored "Collected Works of Qianshan Hall".
Random Names With "严"
Tall and imposing, with glorious feats.
As noble and pure as the sweet osmanthus, and unyielding in perseverance.
Soar thousands of miles like a roc, with lofty aspirations piercing the clouds.
Magnanimous and open - hearted, broad - minded and inclusive
Stand firm between heaven and earth and shoulder great responsibilities.
A valiant and heroic female warrior, a heroine full of charm.
The boundless heaven is limitless, vast and all - embracing.
Aspire to lofty goals and pursue excellence.