yì 益

Migration and Distribution (Lack of information) The Yi surname is not listed among the top 100 surnames in the Mainland and Taiwan. The Yi clan originated from the Ying surname. In ancient times, among the descendants of Boyi, the leader of the Ying clan (Boyi was a minister of Emperor Shun and a descendant of Huangdi), those who took pride in him adopted his name "Yi" as their surname, thus establishing the Yi clan. Additionally, there was a county named Yidu in the ancient Chengyang Commandery (now Guanghan County, Sichuan Province). Some people living in Yidu County took the place - name as their surname, also known as the Yi clan. The prominent branch of the Yi surname resided in Fengyi, which is located in today's Dali County, Shaanxi Province.