History & Mission

Origin of the Liao Surname

According to general records, the origin of Liao surname has four foundation versions:

1. From own surname Tradition has it that Emperor Huang’s (黄帝) concubine had two sons, one named Xuan Xiao (玄嚣) and the another named Chang Yi (昌意). Chang Yi (昌意) married Madam Shi (氏) of Shu Shan (蜀山) [ancient name of Sichuan], bearing Zhuan Xi (颛顼). The Liao surname came from Shu An(叔安), a descendant of Zhuan Xi (颛顼).

2. From 姬 (Yi) surname King Zhou Wen (周文王) had a son called Bo Liao (伯廖). As his name consisted of Liao (廖), his descendants took Liao (廖)as their surname thereafter.

3. From Yan (偃) surname The Descendants of ancient China legendary monarchs Yao Shun’s (尧舜) official – Yao Tao (皋陶). At Xia Dynasty (夏朝) he was conferred the title Liao (蓼), henceforth, Liao (蓼) became a surname.

4. From two surnames of Miao (缪) and Yan (颜) The First Emperor (皇帝) granted Miao (缪)and Yan (颜) as surnames. During King Yin Zhou’s (殷纣王) reign, ruthlessness and cruelty, forced people with the two surnames to live in seclusion and subsequently, they changed their surname to Liao (廖). In the light of #1 above: There are more concrete evidence that leans towards the Liao (廖) surname originating from the descendants of Liao Shu An (廖叔安).

Historical records noted that Liao Shu An (廖叔安) controlled floods with great achievement during Xia Dynasty (夏朝). He received Country honours, was conferred and founded Liao State (蓼国). The ancient Liao State (蓼国) was situated in an area called Liao Mountain (蓼山), where dazzling and brilliant Liao flower (蓼花) grew in abundance. Thus, the State was named after the flower Liao (“蓼”, “飂”, “翏”, “廖” which all sound the same). Today, Liao State (蓼国) is located in a town called Hu Yang Town (湖阳镇), 40 km south in Tang He County (唐河县), Henan Province (河南省). Liao Mountain (蓼山) is a 385.9 meters high hill below it has two man-made rivers, Liao Yang He and Liao Yin He (蓼阳河及蓼阴河); and a Liao lake (蓼湖) around it. There lies a relic of an ancient protective wall halfway up the hill, that was built to protect the State during war. Unfortunately, Chu state (楚国) was increasingly gaining power and strength which eventually wiped out Liao State (蓼国) during the war.

Roots

In Search of our Roots:

On 22 May 2005, Liao clansmen from Hong Kong, Macau, Holland, England, Canada, the United States, Singapore and China Fujian & Guangxi lead by Macau’s Ze Yun（泽云） and Hong Kong’s Tai Quan（太全） went to Henan Province, Hu Yang Town（湖阳镇）to search for our roots. We were warmly welcomed by Hu Yang Town’s Party Committee, local government, town’s elders and townsmen with decorated lanterns & coloured banners. With elaborate and detailed arrangements by the local government, we ascended Liao Mountain(蓼山) and held a memorial for our forefather Liao Shu An(廖叔安公). After the memorial and returning to town, the Hu Yang（湖阳）leaders held a meeting with the delegation to discuss how to develop Liao Mountain.

The Liao surname currently ranks 66th among China’s largest surnames and has a population of about 7,000.000. The purpose of the development is for all Liao clansmen to remember our origin from our great Diaspora. Thereafter, the Liao Worldwide Association Interim Committee was subsequently formed. On 10 August 2005, the Liao Worldwide Association Interim Committee held a second meeting at Ze Yun’s villa at Zhong Shan（中山）, Guangdong Province（广东省）.

The development of King Liao (廖王) memorial hall was discussed extensively on the proposals presented by the Hu Yang Town（湖阳镇） representatives. It was also decided that a building fund to raise funds and a website to disseminate information on the development activities would be set up. It was decided that a 3rd Committee Meeting would be held on December 4, Sunday in Singapore. The Nanyang Leow Sih Association, Singapore, is tasked to organize it. We hope fellow Liaos from other world-wide locations will be excited to attend and collaborate on this great project. May the Light shine on our clan.

ASSOCIATION HISTORY

History of Nanyang Leow-Sih Association

In 1938, Xu Mao（修茂）, Li Wan（立玩）, Kai Yi（开乙）, Ke Fa（克发）, Da Shu（大术）, Hong Mao（红毛）, Li Shui（立水）, Zhang Ge（章合）, Xin Teng（新藤）, Ou Jie（藕节）, Jin Xiang（金想）, Zhang Ze（章泽）, Shun He（顺和）, Zai Fu（再福） together with the other clan elders established this Association.

The aim of this association was to look after the immediate concerns of relatives’ welfare, livelihood and to find employment for clan relatives. Elder Xu Mao generously lent one of his houses on No. 9 Zhang Fang Lin Street (presently the China Square site) to be the temporary premise for the Association. In March 1941, our Association, with fervent support from relatives in Singapore, Malaya (Malaysia), Borneo (East Malaysia), Thai and others, launched a building fund to purchase a piece of land at Paya Lebar. However, construction was disrupted due World War II and the works continued in 1947 at No.373 Paya Lebar Road 12. The building was completed in February 1949. In 1988, the Board of Directors had to consider re-developing the existing Association’s premises due to a possibility of government’s acquisition if the premises were not re-developed.

A taskforce comprising of Liang Hai（良海）, Rong Ye（荣业）, Xiang Jiang（祥江）, Ke Xiong（克雄）, Yan Chao（燕巢）, Yi Geng（乙庚）, Zhen Shun（振顺）, Zhen Hong（振宏) resolved the issue after much deliberation over 8 meetings to assume responsibility to look for new location alternatives. Due to the fear of government acquisition, an urgent meeting was held on 25th September 1988, to decide on exchanging the Paya Lebar Road premises with a real estate development company to build a new 7-storey building at Geylang Lorong 25.

However, approval was not granted by the Land Office to build at this site. Another meeting was held on 20th May 1990, to come to a decision regarding the new replacement site at 24 Geylang Lorong 29. After several years, the construction was the building was finally completed. The building was officially opened by Association’s Adviser Liang Hai (良海) BBM on 2nd April 1996.

MISSION

Nanyang Leow-Sih’s Missions:

We support mass youth activities and actively participate in other clans’ and government sponsored community activities. Complying with our Association’s Constitution, an Annual General Meeting as well as a minimum of four Board of Director’s meetings are held to discuss our Association’s matters annually. We conduct and/or celebrate Lunar (Chinese) New Year, qingming memorial, our anniversary (2nd April), mid-autumn festival and award scholarships besides organizing cultural visits to ancestral homes and sightseeing annually.