Xie

Xie is a Chinese surname. In Mandarin it is pronounced Xiè and written 謝 in traditional characters and 谢 in simplified form. It is one of the most common surnames in China and among Chinese communities worldwide.

The surname has multiple origins. It is traditionally linked to the ancient state of Xie during the Zhou dynasty, with later branches arising from officials and toponymic inheritance. Over centuries, it spread through Han Chinese lineages and various regional populations. The character 谢 also appears in common phrases meaning “to thank,” but as a surname it is treated as a distinct lineage.

Today, Xie is widely distributed across China, with notable concentrations in coastal and eastern provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui, and in Guangdong and Shandong. The name is also common among overseas Chinese communities in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.

Notable people with the surname include Xie An (谢安), a Jin Dynasty statesman known for his cultural patronage; Xie He (谢赫), a Six Dynasties painter and art theorist famous for his early treatises on painting; and Xie Lingyun (谢灵运), a prominent Southern Dynasties poet. The surname has appeared in various historical records, literary works, and modern contexts, reflecting its long-standing presence in Chinese society.