Migration and Distribution (Not available) The Yuci surname is not ranked among the top 100 surnames in the main - land of China and Taiwan. Yuci was originally the name of a Xianbei tribe that came to China during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. 1,600 years ago, this tribe followed the Tuoba clan of the same ethnic group to fight for control of the Central Plains. After a long - term period of campaigns in the east and the west, the Tuoba clan finally ascended to the throne. As a result, the Yuci tribe also gained high status and became a vassal of the Northern Wei royal family. Later, the emperors of the Northern Wei Dynasty were deeply impressed by the profound Chinese traditional culture. They vigorously promoted Chinese culture, adopted Han customs, and even changed the royal surname from Tuoba to Yuan. At the same time, they ordered their people to change to Han surnames as well. Under such circumstances, the Yuci tribe took the name of their tribe as the family surname, thus being called the Yuci clan. The prestigious branches of the double - barreled Yuci surname are based in Taiyuan. Taiyuan was a prefecture established by the State of Qin during the Warring States period, which is equivalent to present - day Taiyuan City in Shanxi Province.