Do the Northern Chinese (such as the people of Beijing) originate from the Yellow River as well?

The "Chinese" originate from the yellow river, but, as far as modern terms are concerned, the Northern Chinese such as the people of Beijing, Manchuria (to an extent), etc. are a bit different to the more Southern Chinese races. I read that the civilisations spread East and South but not North, so who are the people of the North? Do they have any association with the river? And, if not, why are they considered Han?