See the whole storyOrigin of my surname

The surname Bai originates from the Ying surname, descended from Bai Yi (Bo Yi), a virtuous man during the reign of Emperor Shun in ancient times. It is a surname derived from an ancestor's name. The historical record *Records of the Grand Historian: Qin Annals* states: "Da Fei was appointed to assist Shun, training birds and beasts. Many birds and beasts were tamed and subdued; this was Bai Yi. Shun bestowed upon him the surname Ying." Bai Yi, also known as Da Fei or Bo Yi, was the Minister of Education during Emperor Shun's reign, responsible for animal husbandry. For his meritorious service, Emperor Shun bestowed upon him the surname Ying. Thus, Bai Yi had two surnames: Ying and Bai. Bai Yi is the ancestor of the Bai clan, dating back over four thousand years. According to ancient records, Boyi was a remarkable figure. He helped Emperor Shun tame birds and beasts, teaching people to domesticate cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs, chickens, and geese, thus ensuring a more secure source of livelihood. Boyi also actively assisted Yu the Great in controlling the floods, making significant contributions. Among Boyi's descendants, two main surnames emerged, one of which is called Bai, and has been passed down through generations to this day.

Originating from the descendants of the Baihuang clan, the surname Bai originated from the State of Bai during the Zhou Dynasty, and is a surname derived from the name of the state. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, there was a State of Bai, also known as the State of Baizi. It was a minor vassal state granted by the Duke of Zhou to the descendants of the Baihuang clan, located in present-day Xiping County, Henan Province. The historical record *Tongzhi·Shizu Lue* states: "The State of Bai was located in present-day Xiping County, Caizhou. It was destroyed by the State of Chu, and its descendants took the name of the state as their surname." At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Baizi was destroyed by the State of Chu. After the destruction of the state, the descendants of the royal family and the people of Baizi used the original name of the state as their surname, becoming the Bai clan, which has been passed down through generations to this day.

Originating from the surname Ying, it comes from Bai Zhao, a virtuous man during the reign of Emperor Ku in ancient times. It belongs to the category of surnames derived from ancestor names. Bai Zhao was Emperor Ku's teacher, historically known as Bai Gong. Legend has it that he strongly urged Emperor Ku to "sweep away the filth of the Kui Gate, only treasuring fine plants, thus ensuring a lasting reputation." Bai is the ancient character for "cypress," hence Bai Zhao is also called Bai Zhao. Among Bai Zhao's descendants, some adopted his name as their surname, becoming the Bai clan or Bai family, which has been passed down through generations to this day, making it one of the oldest surnames.

Originating from the Baihuang clan, the surname Bai comes from Bai Zhi, a leader of an ancient eastern tribe. It is a surname derived from an ancestor's name. Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a Baihuang clan leader named Zhi, who used the cypress tree as his totem, hence the name Bai Zhi. It is said that Bai Zhi served as an assistant to Fuxi, diligently serving the world without seeking credit, benefiting the people without asking for anything in return. Therefore, he was deeply loved by the people and revered as Huang Bai, hence the name Baihuang clan. The Baihuang clan is an ancient Chinese clan, recorded in many ancient texts. The descendants of the Baihuang clan adopted "Baishan," the name of their ancestral home, as their surname, becoming the Bai clan. Because of the wisdom and intelligence of the Bai clan, their descendants served as tutors to emperors throughout the Zhou Dynasty. For example, Bai Chang was the Earth Official under the Yellow Emperor, Bai Yiliangfu was the tutor of Emperor Zhuanxu, Bai Zhao was the tutor of Emperor Ku, Bai Chengzi Gao was established as a feudal lord during Emperor Yao's reign, and Bai Yi assisted Yu in controlling the floods. Therefore, the Bai clan remained a noble family among ancient surnames. In the early Western Zhou Dynasty, Bai You served as the Grand Master of the Palace, among other positions. Later, most members of the Bai clan adopted other surnames, so today there are very few people with Bai as their surname.

Originating from the Mongol ethnic group, specifically the Salerjiut tribe during the Yuan Dynasty, the Sartu clan adopted their surname from their ancestor's name through Sinicization. According to historical records such as the *Qing Dynasty General History: Clan Records: Mongol Eight Banners Surnames*, the Mongol Sartu clan originated from the descendants of the Salerjiut (Shanjikun) tribe during the Yuan Dynasty. Their ancestors lived for generations in Aohan (present-day Aohan Banner, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia) and Zhalute (present-day Zhalute Banner, Inner Mongolia). Later, their ancestor, Sartu Baide, led his clan to Yehe (present-day Lishu, Jilin). Later, some Manchus adopted this surname, pronounced Sartu Hala in Manchu. From the mid-Qing Dynasty onward, most Mongol and Manchu Sartu clans adopted the first character of their ancestor's name as their surname, adopting the Sinicized name Bai.