Wen Family History

Chinese:: Mandarin form of the surname 溫 meaning ‘warm’ in Chinese: (i) from Wen (溫) the name of an ancient state during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). During the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) this state was annexed by the state of Di and the prince of Wen fled to the state of Wey (located around present-day Hebi and Xinxiang in Henan province). His descendants acquired 溫 the name of their original state as their surname. (ii) from the placename Wen (溫) the name of a fief granted to Wen Ji (溫季) an official in the state of Jin (located mainly in present-day Shanxi province) during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (iii) from the Chi Wen (叱溫) Wen Pen (溫盆) and Wen Gu (溫孤) families of the Xianbei ethnic group in northern China. (iv) from the personal name of Wen Sheng (溫昇) who went into exile and changed his original surname Liu (劉) to Wen 溫 after his father Liu Yicong (劉易從) an official in the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) suffered persecution and death. Mandarin form of the surname 文 meaning ‘literary writing’ or ‘culture’ in Chinese: (i) from Wen (文) the posthumous title of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC) father of King Wu of Zhou (c. 1187–1043 BC) who established the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) adopted in place of another Chinese surname Jing (敬 see Jing ). The latter was part of the name of two royal personages Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin (called Shi Jingtang 石敬瑭 892–942 AD) and Emperor Yizu of Song (called Zhao Jing 趙敬). The latter was the grandfather of Zhao Kuang Ying who established the Northern Song dynasty (927–976 AD). Since it was taboo in ancient China to bear the name of a member of the imperial family people with the surname 敬 (Jing) had to change it to 文 (Wen). (iii) from Wen (文) personal name of Tian Wen also called Meng Chang Jun (Lord Meng Chang) a famous prince of the state of Qi known as one of ‘the four princes’ during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). (iv) from the personal name Wen Zi (文子) a general who lived in the state of Wey during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (v) from the personal name Wen Shu (文叔) also known as Xu Wen Shu (許文叔) founder of the state of Xu (located in present-day Henan province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). Mandarin form of the surname 聞 meaning ‘well-known famous’ in written Chinese: shortened form of the compound surname Wen-Ren (聞人) the title of Shao Zheng Mao a scholar who lived in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) who strongly opposed Confucius’ ideas and who was murdered when Confucius worked as prime minister in the state of Lu. The descendants of Shao Zheng Mao inherited his title 聞人 as their surname. After the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127 AD) some people shortened the surname to 聞.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022