Origins of the Bai (白) surname
Chinese sources record 8 separate lines of origin for the Bai (白) surname. Each is summarised below with its source.
Originated from the Mi (芈) surname
During the Spring and Autumn period, descendants of Bo Gong Sheng (白公胜), son of Crown Prince Jian (太子建) of the State of Chu (楚国), adopted his given name as their clan name, forming the Bai (白) surname.
Originated from the Ying (嬴) surname
Descendants of Gongzi Bai (公子白), son of Duke Wu of Qin (秦武公), adopted his given name as their clan name, becoming one branch of the Bai (白) surname.
Originated from the Ying (嬴) surname
Descendants of Bai Yi Bing (白乙丙), a renowned general under Duke Mu of Qin (秦穆公), adopted his style name or given name as their clan name, forming the Bai (白) surname.
Originated from the Jiang (姜) surname
Bai Fu (白阜), a minister of the Yan Emperor (炎帝), was honored as the founding ancestor of the Bai (白) surname for his achievements in hydrological surveying; this origin belongs to ancient legendary accounts.
Adopted from place names
During the Tang dynasty, the Baizhou (白州) commandery was established; some local residents adopted the commandery’s name as their surname, changing to the Bai (白) surname.
Manchu sinicization
Members of Manchu clans—including Irgen Gioro (伊爾根覺羅氏), Bayara (巴雅拉), Nara (那拉氏), and Guwalgiya (瓜尔佳氏)—adopted the Han Chinese surname Bai (白).
Mongol sinicization
Some members of Mongol clans—including Chagan (查干, meaning 'white'), Bayaud (巴岳特氏), Borjigin (博尔济吉特氏), and Borjigin (孛兒只斤氏)—adopted the Han Chinese surname Bai (白).
Foreign-origin Bai surnames
Some foreign nationals, after naturalization or settlement in China, adopted the Bai (白) surname.