The Ge Family Name#

Family Name: Ge, pronounced as “gē”

Distribution of the Ge Family Name#

• Linhai Commandery: According to “The Hundred Family Names of the Commandery,” the Ge family originated from Linhai Commandery. This commandery was established in the second year of the Taiping era of the state of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. It corresponds to the coastal area east of present-day Zhejiang Province, south of Xiangshan Port.
• Jingzhou: This region is located around present-day Dongguang County and Jing County in Hebei Province. During the Ming Dynasty, the Ge family in Jingzhou produced many talented individuals.

Origins of the Ge Family Name#

There are two origins for the Ge surname:

1. The Ge surname comes from the Han state of the Dongyi tribe during the Xia Dynasty. Bo Ming’s son, Zhuo, who was from the Han state, became the ruler after killing Hou Yi and usurping the Xia dynasty’s power. He enfeoffed one of his sons in the state of Guo and another in the state of Ge (located between Song and Zheng), which were vassal states of the Xia dynasty. Later, when Shao Kang restored the Xia dynasty, he destroyed the state of Ge. The descendants of the original Ge state adopted the name of their former state as their surname.
2. The Ge surname also originates from the Si clan, descendants of King Yu. After Zhuo overthrew the Xia dynasty, Shao Kang made great efforts to restore the dynasty. Shao Kang’s son, Zhu, destroyed the state of Ge and granted land to people with the same surname from the Xia dynasty, who continued to use the Ge surname.

Migration and Distribution

The Ge surname does not rank among the top 100 most common family names in mainland China or Taiwan. The Ge family is descended from an ancient state named Ge that existed over 4,000 years ago. According to “A Brief Study of Family Names,” the Ge surname originated from people granted land in the state of Ge during the Xia dynasty and took the name of the state as their surname. During the Xia dynasty, the state of Ge was a vassal of the Xia dynasty. After Shao Kang’s restoration, the descendants of the Ge state continued to use this name as their surname. The name “Ge” itself was derived from a place name.

Hall Names

• Pingyun Hall and Pingkou Hall: During the Ming Dynasty, the magistrate of Raoping County, Ge Shangyou, enforced the law fairly. Raoping was close to the sea, and pirates often raided the area. Ge Shangyou did not send troops to suppress them. There was a poisonous plant in the county that could be deadly, and it was sometimes used for evil purposes by the locals. Ge Shangyou declared a ban on its use, stating that those who had already committed crimes would not be punished immediately but instead had to pull the plants and hand them in daily to the authorities as a form of atonement. People eagerly complied, and soon all the poisonous plants were removed. Ge Shangyou then threw the plants into the coastal wells, leaving one well untouched for the locals to drink from. When the pirates landed and drank the water from these wells, they all died from the poison. With the pirates eliminated and the poisonous plants removed, those who had intended to use the plants for evil purposes were no longer able to do so. For this, the emperor promoted Ge Shangyou to a higher position in the Ministry of Punishments.

Common Couplets for the Ge Family Ancestral Hall

Four-character Couplets for the Ge Family Ancestral Hall:

• Originating from Linhai; Descended from the State of Ge. (Alluding to the family’s origins and its connection to Linhai Commandery.)
• People call him “Father Zhao”; His paintings reflect the style of the Song dynasty. (Referencing Ge Yunli from the Ming Dynasty, a talented painter and official.)
• The literary style underwent a great transformation; He was a renowned supervisor. (Ge Yi from the Southern Dynasties promoted a renaissance in literature.)

Five-character Couplets for the Ge Family Ancestral Hall:

• One family produced two scholars; Two dynasties saw four famous painters. (Referring to two brothers, Ge Tao and Ge Yuan, who both became scholars in the Qing Dynasty.)
• Fearless in times of danger; Generous and open-minded, he was called a great man. (Emphasizing the courage and generosity of the Ge family.)

Seven-character Couplets for the Ge Family Ancestral Hall:

• The state of Ge was a vassal of the Xia dynasty; Its descendants adopted the state name as their surname. (Highlighting the family’s historical roots.)
• Publicizing good deeds to strengthen friendships; Writing with sincerity to show true heart. (Honoring the contributions of notable individuals to society.)

The Ge family has a rich cultural heritage and has produced many talented individuals throughout history.