Meaning: The surname 颜 originates from the ancient state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period. It traces back to Gongsun Guifu, a noble whose descendants adopted the name of their fief, 颜 (Yán), after being granted the territory of Yanyi (modern-day Qufu, Shandong). The character 颜 originally means 'countenance' or 'appearance', reflecting its connection to the visual aspect of identity.
Sorting of Chinese Surnames:No.118 Sung version of the Hundred Surnames: NO.143 place
Yan Shuji (颜庶几)
an official during the Northern Song Dynasty, who served as a patrol inspector in Dazhou and later supervised the wine tax in Yuanshi County.
Yan Yuan (颜元)
a scholar and thinker in the Qing Dynasty, co-founder of the Yan-Li School with his disciple Li Gong, known for his works on Confucian studies and practical learning.
Yan Xuan (颜瑄)
a Ming Dynasty Jinshi from Jiangyin, known for his work 'Yi An Poetry Collection' and serving as a Ministry of Revenue Director.
'颜' is a surname steeped in ancient Chinese nobility, originating from the fiefdoms of the Spring and Autumn period. It carries the meaning of 'countenance,' symbolizing the visual identity passed down through generations.