The Gongsun Clan#

Clan Name: Gongsun, pronounced as gōng sūn

Distribution of the Gongsun Clan#

• Fufeng Commandery: During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the position of Right Fufeng was established, which became one of the Three Auxiliaries. During the Wei period of the Three Kingdoms, it was renamed Fufeng Commandery. This area is located to the west of present-day Chang'an County, Shaanxi Province.
• Gaoyang Commandery: In ancient times, there was a place called Gaoyang Township, located to the northwest of present-day Qi County, Henan Province. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, Li Shiji referred to himself as a "Gaoyang drunkard," indicating that Gaoyang was a common place name at that time. During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Huan established Gaoyang Commandery, with its administrative center in Gaoyang (east of present-day Gaoyang, Hebei Province). The Jin Dynasty also established the state of Gaoyang, with its capital in Bolu (south of present-day Li County). In the Northern Wei Dynasty, only Gaoyang Commandery existed, still with Gaoyang as its administrative center. It was abolished during the Sui Dynasty.

Origins of the Gongsun Clan#

The Gongsun clan has a relatively broad origin:

1. Descendants of feudal lords from the Spring and Autumn Period: During that time, many lords, regardless of their rank, preferred to be called "gong" (duke). According to the "Guangyun" dictionary, "After those who were enfeoffed as dukes, they all called themselves Gongsun, so the Gongsun surname spread widely; it did not originate from a single lineage." The "Tongzhi" also mentions that the Gongsun clan was formed from the descendants of lords during the Spring and Autumn Period, who adopted this surname as a sign of their noble status. Some claim the surname originated from the Yellow Emperor, Xuanyuan, who had the surname Gongsun.
2. From the Ji surname: Descendants of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan included those with the surname Gongsun. The earliest recorded instances of the Gongsun clan appeared in ancient times. According to the "Lushi" history book, Xuanyuan's younger brother, Xushu, inherited the throne of the Shaodian state and became a feudal lord, passing down the Gongsun surname.

Ancestral Founder: The Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, who had the surname Gongsun and was named Xuanyuan. It is said that Xushu, a half-brother of Shennong, inherited the throne and became a feudal lord, and some of his descendants adopted the Gongsun surname.

Migration and Distribution: The Gongsun clan is not among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. In ancient times, the term "sun" could refer to descendants in general, and the combination of "Gongsun" could also be used to denote descendants of nobles. Some noble families took pride in using the Gongsun surname and passed it down through generations. The "Tongzhi" records that the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan originally had the surname Gongsun and later changed it to Ji. Therefore, the meaning of "Gongsun" has always carried a sense of nobility and honor.

Hall Names of the Gongsun Clan:

• Baima Hall: During the Later Han Dynasty, Gongsun Zan was appointed as the General Who Suppresses the Barbarians and repeatedly defeated foreign invaders. He often rode a white horse, which intimidated the Wuhuan tribe, leading them to warn each other, "We must avoid the White Horse General."
• Zhongyi Hall: During the Spring and Autumn Period, Gongsun Chujiu and Cheng Ying were both disciples of Zhao Shuo. When Zhao Shuo was killed by Tu Anjia, Cheng Ying and Chujiu hid Zhao Shuo's orphan and pretended to be the orphan, saving the child. Cheng Ying later raised the child and avenge Zhao Shuo's death, demonstrating great loyalty and righteousness.

Notable Figures with the Gongsun Surname:

• Gongsun Long: A logician from the Warring States period who developed his own philosophical theories, considered part of the "Ming School" of ancient philosophers. He wrote the famous work "On the White Horse."
• Gongsun Chujiu: A native of the Jin state during the Spring and Autumn Period, a disciple of Zhao Dun and Zhao Shuo. He is the protagonist of the famous Chinese story of loyalty and righteousness, "The Orphan of the Zhao Family."
• Gongsun Yang: Also known as Shang Yang, he was a statesman from the Wei state who implemented reforms in the Qin Dynasty, earning the title "Lord Shang." He was later executed for his reforms.
• Gongsun Qi: Also known as Bai Qi, a renowned military strategist during the Warring States period who served in the Qin state.
• Gongsun Shu: A prominent official during the Han Dynasty who governed Fufeng Commandery and later declared himself emperor in the state of Chengjia.

The Gongsun clan has a long and noble history, with its origins dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Yellow Emperor. Its spread can be attributed to both noble ancestry and historical events.