The Hai Family#

Surname: Hai, pronounced as “hǎi”

Geographic Distribution#

• Qi Jun (Qi Commandery): During the Western Han Dynasty, it was initially named Linzi Jun and later renamed Qi Jun. Its administrative center was located in Linzi (present-day Zibo, Shandong). At that time, its jurisdiction included the areas of present-day Zibo, Yidu, Guangrao, and Linqu counties in Shandong Province.
• Xue Jun (Xue Commandery): Established in the 24th year of King Zheng of Qin (223 BCE), with its administrative center in Lu County (present-day Qufu, Shandong). During the Han Dynasty, Lu County was temporarily transformed into the state of Lu. Its jurisdiction extended to the southern part of Shandong Province and the northern part of Jiangsu Province.
• Nanhai Jun (South Sea Commandery): Established in the 33rd year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (214 BCE). Its territory included the old provinces of Guangzhou, Shaozhou, Chaozhou, Huizhou, Zhaoqing, and Nanxiong in Guangdong, as well as parts of Gaozhou and Pingle in Guangxi and Wuzhou in Guangxi. The administrative center of the commandery was Panyu, which is the current capital of Guangdong Province.
• Zhuya Jun (Zhuya Commandery): Also known as Linzhen Jun or Qiongzhou Jun; it corresponds to the island of Hainan today.

Historical Origins#

The Hai surname has multiple origins:

1. Derived from the Ji surname: It originated from the enfeoffments of descendants of the Yellow Emperor, with some adopting the title of their ancestral deities as their surname. According to legend, the Yellow Emperor had a son named Yuyang, who served as the sea deity, and later he was granted the title of the deity of the East Sea. Yuyang’s son, Yuyang, was also enfeoffed as the deity of the North Sea. Descendants of these deities adopted their ancestral titles as their surnames, which has been passed down for generations.
2. Derived from the Ji surname: Another origin relates to Chun, a minister of the state of Wei during the Spring and Autumn period. His surname was based on his ancestral name.
3. Derived from the Hui ethnic group: Some members of the Hui ethnic group adopted Han-style surnames.
4. Derived from the Mongolian and Manchu ethnic groups: Similar to the previous two, some members of these ethnic groups adopted Han-style surnames during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
5. Derived from other ethnic minorities: Surnames were also adopted by members of other ethnic minorities during the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties as part of government policies and cultural assimilation efforts.

Founding Ancestors of the Hai Surname:

• Yuyang, Yuyang, Haichun, Hailuding, Haidar, and Haidongyang. The founding ancestor of the Hai surname is Haichun, a minister of Duke Ling of Wei during the Spring and Autumn period. The history of the Hai surname dates back at least 2,500 years, making it one of China’s oldest surnames. According to the “Xingshi Kaolue” (A Survey of Surnames), the Hai surname originated from Haichun, a minister of Duke Ling of Wei, who named himself after the sea.

Migration and Distribution: The Hai surname is a multi-ethnic and multi-origin group. It does not rank among the top 300 surnames in mainland China but ranks 488th in Taiwan Province and 472nd in the Song Dynasty version of the “Hundred Family Surnames.” Currently, the population with the Hai surname is approximately 48,000 people, accounting for about 0.004% of the national population. The historical founding ancestor of the Hai surname is Haichun, a minister of Duke Ling of Wei. After the Qin and Han dynasties, the Hai family members gathered mainly in the Xue Commandery. Today, many Hai family members are found in southern regions such as Fujian and Guangdong.

Hall Names (Tanghao):

• Qi Jun Tang (Qi Commandery Hall): Named after the Xue Commandery where the family originated.
• Xue Jun Tang (Xue Commandery Hall): Named after the Lu County where the family originated.
• Zhuya Tang (Zhuya Commandery Hall): Named after the Zhuya Commandery where the family originated.
• Nanhai Tang (South Sea Commandery Hall): Named after the Nanhai Commandery where the family originated.

Generational Poems (Zibeipai):

• Henan Zhengzhou Hai family: “Same aspirations for integrity and forever remembering filial piety.”
• Henan Nanyang Hai family: “In the Ming dynasty, we met many friends; our country thrives. Benevolence and righteousness are family treasures; may we all enjoy longevity and prosperity.”
• Shandong Linqing Hai family: “Establishing connections, bringing honor and prosperity; may our family thrive and be protected by divine blessings.”
• Guizhou Bijie and Hunan Longhui/Hainan Xuanwei Hai families: “United in our aspirations, we honor the values of the prosperous era; may virtue and kindness bring blessings and good fortune.”
• Hebei Dachang Hui Autonomous County Hai family: “From the ancient dragon, our lineage continues; may virtue and prosperity prevail.”

Notable Family Members:

• Hai Peng: A scholar of the Tang Dynasty, known for his work “Caojing.”
• Hai Shun: A high-ranking monk of the Tang Dynasty, known for his pure virtues and his work “Sanbweipian.”
• Hai Rui: An official of the Ming Dynasty, known for his integrity and contributions to governance.
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