Quanzhou-Clans

Geographical Connections Specific locations mentioned in this article include: Quanzhou Prefecture, Jinjiang, Nan’an, Anxi (Tea Clan Region), Hui’an, Yongchun, Dehua, Houzhu (Migration point), Fengzhou (Early settlement hub), and Jubao Street (Clan commercial hub). I. Bloodline Origins: From Central Plains Migration to Hokkien Clan Formation Open the Quanzhou Prefecture Chronicles, and you’ll discover a startling fact: the earliest “household registrations” on this land weren’t created by the government — they were written by the clans themselves. ...

I visited Jinjiang, Quanzhou, a while back. Passing through a village, I saw a massive stone tablet at the entrance, covered with hundreds of names carved into it. I asked a local friend what it was. He said: “This is our clan’s honor roll — everyone from our village who passed the imperial exam since the Ming dynasty.” I froze. One village. Hundreds of scholars. Spanning centuries. He added: “Half the village is named Cai. Walk deeper in — there’s a bigger one.” ...