1.Introduction

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This is not an academic paper.  This preliminary study merely attempts to satisfy the curiosity regarding the genesis of WAN Clan.  The information is primarily based upon the data obtained from the libraries in Hong Kong, and other materials available on the Internet.  Its reliability may be subject to further verification.

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The idea of writing this paper is also induced by the “Taiyuantong WAN Clan Genealogy” (hereinafter referred to as the “Genealogy”) edited by Wah On WAN.  The Genealogy unequivocally indicated that the surname WAN derived from a family named JI (姬) more than 3,000 years ago.  It stated that our first generation ancestor was named Shu Yu (叔虞), the grandson of ZHOU Wen (周文王) or the son of King ZHOU Wu (周武王) and brother of King ZHOU Cheng (周成王).  Given our early ancestors were born with the surname JI (姬), I wonder why our surname had been changed to WAN instead of inheriting JI (姬) as per the Chinese customs?  Secondly, what is the meaning of Taiyuantong (太原堂) on the cover of the Genealogy?  Furthermore, what does the couplet “Six Dragons and Three Yan Gentlemen” (六龍世澤  三彥家聲) inscribed at the entrance of WAN Clan Ancestral Temple at Damshuihang village (擔水坑村温氏宗祠) refer to?