Duan Gan Surname#

Surname: Duan Gan, Pronunciation: duàn gān

Regions where the Duan Gan surname is found#

Fufeng Commandery (east of present-day Xianyang County, Shaanxi Province); Lujun Commandery (around present-day Zixian County, Shandong Province).

Origin of the Duan Gan surname#

The Duan Gan surname originates from:

1. The Ying clan, or from descendants of Emperor Zhuanxu (a descendant of Gao Yang from the Yao clan) and Li Zheng. This branch of the family originally had the Li surname and originated from the fiefdom of Li Er, the founder of Taoism during the Spring and Autumn period. The surname was derived from the name of the fiefdom. According to the historical record "Lushi": "The Duan Gan clan first settled in the area of Duan; they took the name of the place as their surname."
2. The Ji clan, originating from the Duan branch and descending from Ji Shuduan, the second son of Duke Wu of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period. This branch of the family took the name of their ancestor.

Founding ancestors of the surname: Duan Gan Mu and Li Zong.

Migration and distribution

The Duan Gan surname is an ancient Han Chinese surname. However, its population does not rank among the top 300 surnames in mainland China, and it is not listed in the "Hundred Surnames" in Taiwan. In the Song dynasty version of the "Hundred Surnames," it is ranked 466th. The Duan Gan surname is not among the top 100 surnames in either mainland China or Taiwan. Duan Gan Mu is considered the founding ancestor of the Duan Gan clan in China, and this surname has a significant connection with Laozi, a great ancient Chinese thinker. "Duan Gan" was originally the name of a city in the State of Wei during the Warring States period. According to the "Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Laozi," Laozi's grandson, named Zong, was a general of the State of Wei and was granted fiefs in the areas of Duan and Gan, which led to the adoption of the surname Duan Gan. According to "Fengsu Tong," the Duan Gan clan is a descendant of Duan Gan Mu. During the Spring and Autumn period, Duan Gan Mu, a native of the State of Jin, lived in the State of Wei and chose to live in seclusion, refusing to hold official positions. When Marquis Wen of Wei visited him, Duan Gan Mu escaped by climbing over a wall, yet Marquis Wen still held him in great respect and would always dismount from his carriage when passing by his house. The prominent families of the Duan Gan clan are located in Fufeng Commandery (east of present-day Xianyang County, Shaanxi Province) and Lujun Commandery (around present-day Zixian County, Shandong Province).

Hall names:

• Fufeng Hall: Named after the place of origin.
• Lujun Hall: Also known as Luguo Hall (Hall of the State of Lu).

Notable individuals with the Duan Gan surname:

• Duan Gan Mu: A native of the State of Wei and a descendant of Li Zong. Duan Gan Mu originally came from the State of Jin and later lived in the city of Duanmu in the State of Wei, hence the surname.
• Duan Gan Chong: (Birth and death years unknown), also known as Duan Ganzi; a famous official of the State of Wei during the Warring States period.
• Duan Gan Lun: (Birth and death years unknown), also known as Duan Gan Peng or Duan Gan Meng; a famous official and general of the State of Qi.
• Duan Gan Yueren: (Birth and death years unknown); a famous wise man of the State of Qin during the Warring States period.