During the Warring States period, Zilan [zh], a son of King Huai of Chu, settled in Shangguan [zh].
Following Qin's wars of unification, the Shangguan family and others loyal to the state of Chu were forced to relocate.
A second wave of migration after the Tang dynasty ended saw many members of the Shangguan family settle in Fujian.
Shangguan is listed 411th in the Hundred Family Surnames.
Notable people with the surname include: