The Story Behind the 'Wan' Prefix in Perak Lineage
The use of 'Wan' as a name prefix for residents in Malaysia is a common occurrence. Behind the presence of the 'Wan' prefix for an individual, it is usually based on lineage. Uniquely, the use of this prefix has its own story for every state in our country.
Most people today would assume that those who carry the name 'Wan' as a prefix must originate from the East Coast. It is clear that many residents on the East Coast have 'Wan' at the beginning of their names. However, for those born in the state of Perak specifically, the story behind the 'Wan' prefix actually has its own unique history. The story is very different and quite distinct from other states in our homeland. The Temenggung was a title for a high-ranking official in the Malay Sultanate that practiced the 'Empat Lipatan' (Four-Fold) system. The Temenggung was originally the highest position in the Malay Sultanate administration, responsible for maintaining security and peace within the state. The Temenggung of Perak was also one of the high-ranking officials in Perak who participated in signing the Pangkor Treaty in 1874. Once, during the reign of the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak), there was a Temenggung in Perak named Temenggung Wan Husain. He was appointed as the Orang Kaya Temenggung Paduka Raja of Perak, which is one of the four major chiefs (Orang Besar 4) in the state of Perak.
At the beginning of the reign of the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak), the Sultan of Perak granted the title 'Raja' to those holding the position of Temenggung in Perak. However, the title was changed to 'Wan' after some minor issues arose.
The reason was that if the title 'Raja' were used as a prefix, one day the descendants and the common people would surely be confused and unable to distinguish between the Raja of Temenggung lineage and the Raja of the actual royal lineage of the Sultan of Perak.
Although the Temenggung of Perak did not use the title 'Raja', the people still called and addressed them as 'Raja' because the people of Perak at that time considered the Temenggung lineage worthy and entitled to be called as such, as they were also of royal descent. There is also a theory stating that the 'Wan' prefix for the Temenggung lineage of Perak was a suggestion from Temenggung Wan Husain himself to the Sultan when he declined the 'Raja' title granted by the monarch. Temenggung Wan Husain is said to have suggested the name 'Wan' derived from the word 'pahlawan' (warrior). Since then, the descendants of the Temenggung in Perak have continuously used the 'Wan' prefix in their names to this day.
Temenggung Wan Hassan
Temenggung Wan Hassan was not of ordinary descent. He was the son of Orang Kaya Temenggung Panjang Arif. Temenggung Wan Hassan passed away around 1907 while the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak) was still ruling the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan. He was buried in a cemetery in the town of Kuala Kangsar. Temenggung Wan Husain was also his biological brother.
