Ji (a Chinese surname)#

Surname: Ji, pronunciation: jì

Distribution of the Ji surname#

Bohai Commandery: During the Western Han Dynasty, Bohai Commandery was established from the regions of Julu and Shanggu, corresponding to the area around the Bohai Bay in present-day Hebei and Liaoning provinces. The Bohai Commandery State: During the Tang Dynasty, ethnic groups from the northeast established the Bohai Commandery State, which encompasses the region from south of the Songhua River to the Bohai Sea.

Origin of the Ji surname#

The Ji surname has two origins:

1. It originates from a state name. It is said that descendants of Emperor Yao of the Tang Dynasty were granted the fief of Ji (around present-day Hejin County, Shanxi Province) during the Western Zhou Dynasty. After the state of Ji was conquered by the state of Yu, the descendants of the royal family adopted the name of the state as their surname.
2. It originates from the Ji clan name, with the surname being derived from the name of a town. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Xian of Jin conquered the state of Yu, and Ji became a town under Jin's jurisdiction. Later, a high-ranking official of Jin named Ji Rui was granted the fief of Ji for his services in assisting Emperor Hui of Jin to ascend the throne. His descendants adopted the name of the fief as their surname.

Ancestral figure of the Ji surname: Ji Rui. The Ji surname is a descendant of Emperor Yao of the Tang Dynasty, with its origin dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period. Ji is an ancient geographical term; during ancient China's nine provinces (Jiuzhou), there was a province called Ji Zhou, which covered a large area including present-day Hebei, Shanxi, as well as parts of Liaoning west of the Liao River and Henan north of the Yellow River. The state of Ji was a vassal state of the Zhou Dynasty around 3,000 years ago, descended from Emperor Yao. When the state of Ji was conquered by Jin, the descendants of Emperor Yao followed the custom of the time and adopted the state name as their surname.

Distribution and migration: The Ji surname does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, there was the state of Ji (around present-day Jishan County, Shanxi Province), and its people adopted the Ji surname. Additionally, during the Spring and Autumn Period, Ji was a territory of Jin, and a high-ranking official named Ji Rui was granted the fief of Ji by the Jin king. Descendants of Ji Rui later adopted the name of the fief as their surname. This is recorded in historical texts.

Notable individuals with the Ji surname: Throughout Chinese history, there have been many notable individuals with the Ji surname, such as:

• Ji Jun of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, who was known for his integrity and skill in clerical script, and who held various official positions, achieving a good reputation for his governance.
• Ji Xi of the Jin Dynasty, a poet and scholar.
• Ji Ting of the Ming Dynasty, a philosopher and politician.
• Ji Chaoding of modern times, a prominent political figure.

Hall names associated with the Ji surname:

• Ge Bi Tang (Hall of Reform): This name signifies the abolition of ineffective or harmful policies and laws.

Common couplets for Ji surname ancestral halls:

• Four-character couplet for Ji surname ancestral halls:
  "Descended from Bohai; the surname originates from the state of Ji." (This couplet refers to the historical origins of the Ji surname, as mentioned in the sections on surname origins and hall names.) "Be a clean and upright official; leave a name of integrity." (This couplet highlights the tradition of integrity and good governance among Ji descendants.)
• Seven-character couplets for Ji surname ancestral halls:
  "Remembered for his contributions to literature and poetry; renowned for his scholarship and integrity." (This couplet acknowledges the achievements of notable Ji figures in various fields.)

The Ji surname has a long and honorable history, with its roots dating back to ancient times and its significance as a geographical term. Descendants of the Ji family have made significant contributions to Chinese culture and politics throughout history.