The Gui Clan#

Surname: Gui (pronounced: guì)

Distribution of the Gui Clan#

• Tianshui Commandery: Established in the early Western Han Dynasty. This corresponds to the areas of Tianshui and Longxi in present-day Gansu Province, to the east of these areas.
• Youzhou: One of the thirteen commanderies established by Emperor Wu of Han. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, its administrative center was in Ji, which is located in present-day Daxing County, Beijing. In the Jin Dynasty, the commandery's capital was in Zhu, within the territory of present-day Hebei Province.
• Yan Commandery: This commandery name does not appear in historical records. The northern part of present-day Hebei Province was part of the Yan State during the Zhou Dynasty, also known as Northern Yan.

Origin of the Gui Clan#

The surname Gui has a pure lineage. One theory suggests it originated from the Ji clan, descendants of the royal family of the Zhou Dynasty, who changed their surname to avoid misfortune. According to the "Preface to the Gui Clan Genealogy," after the fall of the Eastern Zhou, Ji Jizhen, a descendant of the royal family, served as a scholar in the Qin State. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of books and the persecution of scholars, Ji Jizhen was killed. His brother, Ji Jishui, to avoid being implicated, changed the names of Ji Jizhen's four sons according to the pronunciation of his own name. The first son, Ji Yi, changed his name to Gui Yi and stayed in Youzhou to guard the family tomb; the second son, Ji Tu, moved to Zhuxu in Jinan; the third son, Ji Jiong, lived in Lishan in the Qi State; the fourth son, Ji Que, moved to Yangcheng in Henan. Thus, the surnames Gui, Ji, Jiong, and Que were formed. The Gui clan has been passed down through generations from Gui Yi. Although these four surnames have different characters, they are pronounced the same and share the same ancestral origin. During the Five Dynasties period, the members of these four clans migrated to areas such as Guangxin and Shangrao to escape the chaos.

Founder of the Gui Clan: Ji Yi (Gui Yi). The Gui clan originated from the Ji clan. Ji Jizhen, a descendant of the Zhou royal family, changed his surname to avoid disaster. After the fall of the Eastern Zhou, his four sons changed their names based on the pronunciation of his name to escape persecution.

Origins of the Surname Gui#

The surname Gui has a clear and pure origin. It is believed to have originated from the Ji clan, descendants of the Zhou royal family, who changed their surname to avoid misfortune. According to historical records, after the fall of the Zhou Dynasty, Ji Jizhen served as a scholar in the Qin State. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of books and the persecution of scholars, Ji Jizhen was killed. Ji Jishui, to avoid being implicated, changed his brother's four sons' names based on the pronunciation of his own name. The four sons—Gui Yi, Ji Tu, Ji Jiong, and Ji Que—each settled in different places. These four surnames, although different in character, have the same pronunciation and share the same ancestral roots. During the Five Dynasties, they migrated to avoid war and settled in various regions.

The founder of the Gui clan is Ji Yi. The Gui clan traces its origins back to the Ji clan; Ji Jizhen was a scholar in the Qin State. After the fall of the Zhou Dynasty, his four sons changed their names to avoid persecution, resulting in the surnames Gui, Ji, Jiong, and Que. These surnames have been passed down through generations. The four surnames have different characters but the same pronunciation, indicating a common ancestry. During the Five Dynasties, they migrated to avoid war and settled in different regions.

The Gui clan has not made it into the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It originates from the Ji clan, with Ji Jizhen as its ancestor, a scholar in the Qin State. After the Zhou Dynasty, his four sons changed their names to avoid persecution, leading to the surnames Gui, Ji, Jiong, and Que. These surnames have been passed down through generations. The four surnames have different characters but the same pronunciation, indicating a common ancestor. During the Five Dynasties, they migrated to avoid war and settled in different regions.

The Gui clan's ancestral founder is Ji Yi. The clan's history is well-documented, with records showing its spread across various regions. The first person to use the surname Gui was Ji Yi, a descendant of the Zhou royal family. He served as a scholar in the Qin State and was persecuted. His brother, Ji Jishui, changed his sons' names to avoid being implicated. The four sons—Gui Yi, Ji Tu, Ji Jiong, and Ji Que—each settled in different places, contributing to the clan's spread throughout China. The Gui clan's prominent members lived in Tianshui Commandery (southwest of present-day Tongwei County, Gansu Province). Therefore, the founder of the Gui clan is Ji Yi.

Migration and Distribution The Gui clan has not ranked among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It originates from the Ji clan. During the Zhou Dynasty, Ji Jizhen was a scholar in the Qin State and was persecuted. His brother, Ji Jishui, changed his sons' names to avoid being implicated. The four sons—Gui Yi, Ji Tu, Ji Jiong, and Ji Que—each settled in different places, contributing to the clan's spread across China. The Gui clan's prominent members lived in Tianshui Commandery (southwest of present-day Tongwei County, Gansu Province).

Hall Names of the Gui Clan

• Min Si Tang: During the Song Dynasty, there was a person named Gui Qing who served as a high-ranking official in the Southern Tang Dynasty, later in the Song Dynasty, and was appointed as an inspector of the imperial academy and an imperial censor. He was known for his integrity and love for the people, and a temple was built in his honor.

Common Couplets for the Gui Clan's Ancestral Hall

• Four-Character Couplet for the Gui Clan's Ancestral Hall: "The clan originated in Tianshui; the surname was established by Gui Yi." (This couplet refers to the clan's origins and its historical significance.)
• Six-Character Couplet for the Gui Clan's Ancestral Hall: "His integrity was as pure as the shade of the mulberry tree; his wisdom spread throughout the land." (This couplet honors the clan's historical achievements and its influence.)
• Seven-Character Couplet for the Gui Clan's Ancestral Hall: "He was a capable official in the Ming Dynasty; his wisdom was revered as 'the Pure Sky.'" (This couplet highlights the clan's contributions during the Ming Dynasty.)

The Gui clan has not made it into the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. Its origins can be traced back to the Ji clan. During the Zhou Dynasty, a scholar named Ji Jizhen served in the Qin State and was persecuted. His brother, Ji Jishui, changed his sons' names to avoid being implicated. The four sons—Gui Yi, Ji Tu, Ji Jiong, and Ji Que—each settled in different places, contributing to the clan's spread across China.

Notes on the Gui Clan

• Historical Figures: Gui Qing, a prominent member of the clan, served in several dynasties and was known for his integrity. A temple was built in his honor.
• Literary Figures: Scholars like Gui Yanliang and Gui Zongru made significant contributions to Chinese literature and history.
• Anecdotes: The name "Tang Yin Bi Shi" reflects the wisdom of ancient judges, as recorded in the book "Tang Yin Bi Shi" by Gui Wanrong, which discusses legal cases from ancient times.