Quick Answer: What Is the Qian Surname?
The Qian surname（钱／錢，qián）is a Chinese family name read with a rising second tone in Mandarin. 钱 is simplified and 錢 traditional; the word commonly means money.[1][2]
- Origins: A traditional account derives the surname from an official’s post.[3]
- History: The ruling house of Wuyue（吴越／吳越，wú yuè）bore this surname.[4]
- Spellings: Qian, Tsien, Chien and Chin occur in records.[6][7][8][9]
Neither the money meaning nor a royal association proves a modern family’s wealth or descent.
The familiar money character can appear under several personal spellings. Its surname story, later royal associations and place in a traditional primer need separate explanations.
The Character 钱/錢: Money and Pronunciation
The Mandarin surname reading is qián. As an ordinary word, 钱 can refer to money or an expense; as a surname, it identifies a family. The everyday meaning does not describe the financial circumstances of someone who bears the name.[1]
Changing between 钱 and 錢 changes the script form rather than the surname. Preserve the original form when transcribing a historical document.[2]
2019 mainland rank: 94th.[11]
The Traditional Office-Name Account
An old surname account connects Qian with Peng Zu（彭祖，péng zǔ）and a descendant called Fu（孚，fú）. It describes Fu holding the Zhou-period post Qianfu shangshi（钱府上士／錢府上士，qiánfǔ shàngshì）, with descendants taking the office’s name as their surname. This is an office-derived explanation, rather than a claim that the family was named for possessing money.[3]
The Peng surname has a separate traditional association with Peng Zu. These connected traditions do not provide a documented relationship between every modern Peng and Qian household.[3]
Wuyue Rulers and the Hundred Family Surnames
Qian Liu（钱镠／錢鏐，qián liú）, who lived from 852 to 932, founded Wuyue. This later ruling family is a significant historical association of the surname, distinct from the much older office-name tradition.[4]
Qian is the second name in the Hundred Family Surnames（百家姓，bǎi jiā xìng）, whose opening sequence is Zhao（赵／趙，zhào）, Qian, Sun（孙／孫，sūn）and Li（李，lǐ）. That is the order in a traditional text, not a population survey.[5]
Qian, Tsien, Chien and Chin in Personal Records
One person may appear under more than one Roman-letter form. These examples keep the published spellings and identify the corresponding Chinese names.
| Forme | Named example | Record context |
|---|---|---|
| Qian and Tsien | Qian Xuesen（钱学森／錢學森，qián xuésēn）; Tsien Hsue-shen | The museum charter uses Qian Xuesen in its English name; the publisher of his collected works uses Tsien Hsue-shen.[6][7] |
| Chien | Si-Liang Chien（钱思亮／錢思亮，qián sīliàng） | His academician profile pairs Si-Liang Chien with 錢思亮.[8] |
| Chin | Chin Siu-ho（钱小豪／錢小豪，qián xiǎoháo） | A bilingual film-archive cast list records this name in Chinese and English.[9] |
The Cantonese surname reading is cin4, commonly spelled Chin. Keep the spelling actually used by the person rather than automatically converting it to Mandarin Pinyin.[10]
How to Compare Qian Family Records
- Copy the full Chinese name, preserving 钱 or 錢 as written.
- Record Qian, Tsien, Chien or Chin exactly; add alternative forms separately for searching.
- Compare relatives, dates and hometowns before deciding that two entries identify the same person.
- Trace connected generations before claiming descent from Wuyue rulers or an ancient office-holder.
FAQs About the Qian Surname
Does the Money Meaning Make Qian a Wealthy Family Name?
It explains an ordinary meaning of 钱, not a person’s finances or prospects. The inherited surname should not be treated as a prediction of wealth.[1]
Is Qian the Second Most Common Chinese Surname?
Its second position refers to the opening of the Hundred Family Surnames. A primer’s sequence is different from ranking names by population.[5]
Does Every Qian Family Descend from Wuyue Rulers?
A shared surname is insufficient to establish that connection. Linking a particular family to the ruling house requires a documented sequence of generations.
Sources
[1] Ministry of Education. Concised Mandarin Chinese Dictionary: 錢
[2] Chinese University of Hong Kong. Multi-function Chinese Character Database: 錢 and 钱
[3] Zheng Qiao, reproduced in Gu Jin Tu Shu Ji Cheng. Tong Zhi: Qian Surname Account
[4] Zhejiang Archives. Dictionary of Zhejiang Historical Figures: Qian Liu
[5] Anonymous. Hundred Family Surnames
[6] Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Qian Xuesen Library and Museum Charter
[7] Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press. Collected Works of Tsien Hsue-shen: Publisher’s Record
[8] Academia Sinica. Si-Liang Chien: Academician Profile
[9] Hong Kong Film Archive. 100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies: Mr. Vampire Cast
[10] Words.hk. Cantonese Dictionary: 錢 Surname Entry
[11] Ministry of Public Security, reproduced by Cemingzi. 2019 National Names Report