The Tai Shu Genealogy#

Surname: Tai Shu, Pronunciation: tài shū

Regions Where the Tai Shu Surname is Found#

Dongping Commandery: During the Han Dynasty, the state of Dongping was established; it was later renamed Dongping Commandery during the Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties. This region corresponds to the areas of present-day Dongping and Tai'an in Shandong Province.

Origin of the Tai Shu Surname#

There are two origins for the Tai Shu surname:

1. From the Ji Clan: The Tai Shu surname originates from the Ji clan, descending from Kang Shu, the founder of the State of Wei. The surname was derived from the ancestral rank. During the Spring and Autumn period, the third son of Duke Wen of Wei (Ji Hui) was named Ji Yi. In ancient times, brothers were ranked as Bo (eldest), Zhong (second), Shu (third), and Ji (fourth). Since Ji Yi was the third son, he was called "Shu Yi," and because he was a member of the royal family, he was also known as "Tai Shu Yi." His descendants adopted this name as their surname.
2. From the Ancestral Title: Another origin of the Tai Shu surname comes from an ancestral title. During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Zhuang of Zheng was named Wu Sheng, and his younger brother was named Duan, who was granted the title "Jingcheng Tai Shu" (Lord of Jingcheng). His descendants adopted this title as their surname.

Proven Ancestor of the Surname

Ji Yi (Tai Shu Yi) is considered the progenitor of the Tai Shu family. According to historical records, the Tai Shu surname has two origins: One is from the Ji clan, with descendants of Tai Shu Yi, a descendant of Duke Wen of Wei, adopting the title of their royal ancestor as their surname. This is mentioned in works such as "Xing Shu Xun Yuan" (Search for the Origins of Surnames) and "Gujin Xing Shu Shu Bian Zheng" (Dialectics of Ancient and Modern Surnames). The other origin is also from the Ji clan, with descendants of Duke Zhuang of Zheng adopting the title "Jingcheng Tai Shu" as their surname.

Spread of the Surname

The Tai Shu surname is not among the top 100 most common surnames on either the Chinese mainland or in Taiwan. It is a relatively rare surname with royal origins. One branch of the Tai Shu family originated from Ji Yi, a descendant of Duke Wen of Wei, who adopted the title of his royal ancestor as their surname. Another branch originated from Duan, a younger brother of Duke Zhuang of Zheng, who was granted the title "Jingcheng Tai Shu." This branch of the family also adopted this title as their surname.

Genealogical Notes

• The Tai Shu family can trace its ancestry back at least 2200 years, dating to the Spring and Autumn period.
• Whether the Tai Shu surname originated from the State of Wei or the State of Zheng, all descendants are descendants of King Wen of Zhou.
• Ji Yi (Tai Shu Yi) is revered as the progenitor of the Tai Shu family.

Distribution of the Surname

The Tai Shu surname is not among the top 100 most common surnames in China or Taiwan. It is a rare surname with royal origins. The family name has spread primarily in certain regions, particularly in the Dongping Commandery (present-day Dongping and Tai'an in Shandong Province).

Hall Names

The Tai Shu family also has a hall name called "Ming Jian Tang," which means "clear and far-reaching vision," symbolizing wisdom and foresight.

Notable People with the Tai Shu Surname

• Tai Shu Yi: A member of the royal family of the State of Wei during the Spring and Autumn period, he was the third son of Duke Wen of Wei. His descendants adopted the surname Tai Shu as a sign of honor.
• Tai Shu Duan: A person from the State of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period, also known as Gong Shu Duan. He was the younger brother of Duke Zhuang of Zheng and adopted the title "Jingcheng Tai Shu" as his surname.