Yehele Clan

Overview

The Yehele clan is a Manchu surname listed in Volume 57 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, an official compilation compiled during the Qianlong reign. They were scattered in places like Yaha. Muji of the Plain White Banner lived in Yaha and submitted to the Qing dynasty at its beginning; his great-grandson, Ersun, served as a cavalry commander. Tongse of the Bordered Yellow Banner lived in Liaohe and submitted during the Tiancong reign; his grandson, Samuhatu, served as a military officer. Arsai of the Bordered White Banner lived in Yehe; the year of his submission is unknown, but his son, Sundali, served as a sixth-rank official.

These three entries respectively provide information on banner affiliation, ancestral home, stage of submission, and official positions of descendants. Tiancong was the reign title used by Huang Taiji during the Later Jin period, from 1627 to 1636. "Early Qing dynasty" is a general term, and "unknown" indicates that the genealogy does not specify the year, so all three cannot be compressed into a single date of submission.

The title "cavalry commander" belonged to the basic military administration of the Eight Banners, while "military officer" was part of the military guard system. The "sixth rank" only indicates the grade without specifying concrete duties. Therefore, Sundali cannot be listed as a sixth-rank civil or military official. The presence of "Yehe" in the surname does not mean that all branches resided in Yehe, nor does it constitute grounds for merging with other clans containing the name Yehe. The location of Yaha village, Manchu surnames, and bloodlines of each branch still need verification.