The Chai Clan#

Clan Name: Chai, pronounced as “chái”.

Distribution of the Chai Clan#

During the Han Dynasty, the Pingyang Commandery was established, which is now located in Linfen City, Shanxi Province.

Origin of the Chai Clan#

The name “Chai” originates from the following:

1. During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius had a student named Gao Chai. Gao Chai’s grandson adopted his grandfather’s name as his own surname, which was Chai Ju. His descendants have continued to use the surname Chai from generation to generation.
2. The Chai clan also shares ancestry with the Lin clan. One theory suggests that during the late Sui Dynasty, Lin Shihong failed in his attempt to become emperor and changed his surname from Lin to Chai. In the area of Longyan, there are places historically associated with the imperial lineage; the Chai clan there are descendants of Prince Zheng of the Song Dynasty, who were in turn descendants of the emperors of the Later Zhou Dynasty. These Chai clan members still recognize Lin Jian as their ancestor.

Migration and Distribution

1. The following is the mnemonic for the generation names of the Chai clan in the new era, as published in the book “Zhonghua Chai Shi Zong Pu” (The Genealogy of the Chai Clan of China) by retired teacher Chai Wenqing from Yantai, Shandong Province: Spring, summer, autumn, winter—each season marks a new beginning. The Yan Emperor and the Jiang family contributed to the clan’s prosperity for five thousand years. The Four Mountains assisted Yao and Shun; Bo Yi held high-ranking positions in the clan. Lü established the state through his contributions; the Zhou Dynasty honored those who brought glory. The respected officials and scholars upheld righteousness, benevolence, propriety, and filial piety. The name “Ju” was passed down, marking a new era. The reigns of Emperors Wu of Han and Zhao of Tang further enhanced the clan’s glory. The clan’s virtues have a long history, and their benevolence has been praised through the ages. Everyone looks up to them with admiration; their brilliance shines throughout the world. We hope that future generations will be virtuous and continue to preserve this genealogy.

Calculation of Generations According to the information on page 20 of this genealogy, the Chai clan has existed for approximately 2,500 years. Using the ancient tradition of counting one generation every 30 years or every time a father and son are born, this corresponds to 82 generations.

Usage of the 100 Generation Names

1. The first generation name in the genealogy is “Chun” (Spring), which is based on the founding ancestor Chai Ju. The generations are numbered in order according to these names. By the year 2000, 82 generations had passed, which coincides with the 82nd name in the sequence (“De”/Virtue).
2. Starting from January 1, 2001, children born into the Chai clan across the country are considered part of the 83rd generation. They are named using the 83rd name in the sequence (“Gen”/Root) to unify the clan’s lineage nationwide.
3. For families or communities where the generation lineage is well-established, those who are older or younger but of different generations can be named using the corresponding generation names (e.g., “Gen” for the 83rd generation, “De” for the 81st generation, and so on).
4. The 100 generation names published in “Zhonghua Chai Shi Zong Pu” are a draft for discussion. After extensive deliberation by representatives from Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, Beijing, and other places over the past year, they were finalized and released. It is hoped that they will be carefully followed to unify the Chai clan’s lineage in the new century.

Additional Information

• According to the “Cixi Yuyao Genealogy Summary,” the Chai clan originated from the Jiang surname and is a single-surname clan.
• The “Tongzhi” (Comprehensive Records) states that the Chai clan descended from Gao, a son of Prince Wen of Qi. Gao’s grandson, Chai Ju, adopted his grandfather’s name as his surname.
• During the Han Dynasty, there was a Marquis of Jipu named Chai Wu; his descendant, Chai Shouli, was a prominent figure.
• During the Five Dynasties period, when the crown prince of Zhou had no heirs, Chai Shouli’s son, Rong, was chosen as the successor, becoming Emperor Shizong of Zhou.
• The “Xingkao” (Genealogy Study) mentions that a nobleman from Qi adopted the Chai surname because of his connections to that region.
• The “Qianjia Xing” (Thousand Families’ Surnames) refers to the Chai clan as part of the Pingyang clan.