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Lin (surname)

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Lin is a pinyin transcription of one of several Chinese surnames, with 林 (pinyin Lín) being overwhelmingly the most common. The literal meaning of this surname is "forest" or "woods". The majority of people with this surname are concentrated in the Fujian province of China and Taiwan. Among the overseas Chinese, the surname Lin (also spelled as Lim or Liem) may be more common than in China because many overseas Chinese have origins in Fujian. This is due to the migrating Fujian Chinese seeking their fortunes particularly in Southeast Asia. In Hong Kong and in Vietnam, the name takes the form "Lam". Lin is the 2^nd most common surname in Taiwan, with a population of 9% Taiwanese (2.1 million, 2005 estimate), only behind Chen. In mainland China (except Fujian) Lin is less common. A Korean surname 임 Im (Korean name) is the Korean equivalent of Lin. There are two clan branches of 임, the first being 수풀-림(Supul-Im) and second, 맡길-임(Matgil-Im). A Japanese common surname, Hayashi, is written with the same character 林, also meaning forest. The Vietnamese surname, Lâm, was formerly written using the same Chinese character. A rare Chinese surname which is also transcribed Lin is 藺 (pinyin Lìn).

1 Myth or Historical Fact?
2 Famous people surnamed Lin:
3 See also
4 External links

Myth or Historical Fact?

A popular myth (some say historical fact) states that during the reign of Shang Zhou ("纣王" in Chinese) the last king of Shang dynasty had 3 of his uncles advising him and his administration. The king's uncles were Bi Gan (also spelled Pi Kan), Qi Zi and Wei Zi. Together the 3 men were known as "The Three Kindhearted Men of Shang" in the kingdom. Bi Gan was the son of Prince Ding, son of Emperor Shang, was King Zhou's uncle. Unfortunately, Zhou Wang was a cruel king and his 3 uncles could not persuade him to change his ways. The state's citizens suffered tremendously. Failing in their duty to advise the king, Wei Zi resigned. Qi Zi faked insanity and was relieved of his post. Only Bi Gan stayed on to continue advising the king to change his ways. Bi Gan stayed at the palace for three days and nights to try to persuade the bloodthirsty and immoral king to mend his ways. The stubborn king would not relent and had his uncle, Bi Gan, arrested for treason. Upon hearing this his pregnant wife (surname Chen) escaped into the forest to protect her unborn child from death. She knew, in time, the king would execute Bi Gan's entire family. In the forest the baby was born. Alone with no one to help, she grabbed hold of two trees and gave birth to a baby boy whom she named Jian. When she reached the nearest town, she gave her child the surname Lin (Chinese character depicted by two trees). Before long, Shang Zhou was overthrown and killed by Zhou Wu Wang. Zhou Wu Wang knew about the courageous court adviser Bi Gan and sought his wife and child. When he found them, he honoured them in respect to Bi Gan. The mother and child were restored back into the royal family. The new king conferred the surname Lin (meaning woods or forest) on Bi Gan's son, because he was born in some woods. According to historical records, people who carry the surname Lin are the descendents of Bi Gan, a loyal subject of King Zhou from the Shang Dynasty.

Famous people surnamed Lin:

In Chinese tradition, the surname is always stated "before" the given name, though Chinese living in Western countries will often put their surname after their given name.