noun
Refers to one's ancestral family name or lineage, often in historical or formal contexts. Can also imply noble birth or pedigree.
彼は由緒ある氏の出だ。
He comes from a family of distinguished lineage.
古代の氏制度について学ぶ。
Learn about the ancient clan system.
noun, suffix
Historical term for a kinship group or clan in ancient Japan, often used in discussions of the uji-kabane system. Also used as a suffix in clan names (e.g., 藤原氏).
See also: 氏 (し)
源氏は武士の棟梁として知られる。
The Minamoto clan is known as the leader of the samurai.
氏姓制度は大和政権の基盤だった。
The clan-and-title system was the foundation of the Yamato polity.
名字 refers to a modern family name or surname, while 氏 (うじ) is a historical clan name or lineage.
姓 is a general term for surname, often used in modern contexts, whereas 氏 (うじ) carries a stronger historical or genealogical nuance.
The kanji 氏 originally depicted a person carrying an offering, later extended to mean 'clan' or 'family name'. The reading うじ is native Japanese, referring to ancient kinship groups.