Meaning: The surname 阮 is an ancient Chinese surname with origins tracing back to the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period. According to the 'Yuán Hé Xìng Zǎn' (元和姓纂), the surname originated from the ancient Ruan state, located in present-day Shaanxi Province. The descendants of this state adopted the state name as their surname, creating the Ruan clan. The surname has a long history in China, particularly prevalent in southern regions.
Sorting of Chinese Surnames:No.144 Sung version of the Hundred Surnames: NO.130 place
Ruan Yan (阮研)
a calligrapher and official of the Liang dynasty, known for his expertise in cursive and clerical scripts inspired by Wang Xizhi and Zhong Yao.
Ruan Dashao (阮大韶)
a Southern Song Dynasty official who passed the imperial examination in 1256 and rose to the position of Censor.
Ruan Ji (阮籍)
a Three Kingdoms period official, writer, and philosopher, one of the 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove', known for his Taoist beliefs and disdain for Confucian rituals.
The surname 阮 is a long-standing ancient Chinese name, originating from the Ruan state. It carries a rich historical significance, especially prominent in southern China.