The Qīdiāo Clan#

Clan Name: Qīdiāo, Pronunciation: qī diāo

Regions Where the Qīdiāo Clan is Found#

Caizhou: Also known as Caijun. During the Qin Dynasty, the territories of the former states of Cai and Shen were merged to form the Sanchuan Commandery. In the Han Dynasty, it was renamed Ruanan Commandery (present-day Shangcai, Henan). During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the administrative center was moved to Xuanghu City (present-day Ruanan, Henan). In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it was renamed Caizhou and was also known as Yuzhou for a period. In the Sui Dynasty, Caizhou was established from the former Qin Dynasty’s Qinzhou; its administrative center was initially called Shangcai County and later Ruyin County, both located in present-day Ruanan County, Henan. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Caizhou was also established, with its administrative center in Caiyang, governing the area around present-day Zaoyang City, Hubei.

Lujun: Also known as the State of Lu or Lujun Commandery. At the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty, the former Xue Commandery of the Qin Dynasty was transformed into the State of Lu, with its administrative center in Lujian (present-day Qufu, Shandong).

Origins of the Qīdiāo Clan#

The Qīdiāo clan originates from:

1. A branch of the Ji surname, descended from the rulers of the Wu state during the Western Zhou Dynasty, adopting the name of their tribal origin as their surname.
2. A Manchu clan name, which evolved from one of the Eight Banners and later simplified to Qī or Diāo (it is common for Manchu compound surnames to be simplified into single surnames, especially during the mid to late Qing Dynasty).
3. A surname derived from a profession, originating from ancient lacquerware craftsmen, with the surname coming from their occupational titles.

Founding Ancestor of the Clan: Qīdiāo Kāi.

Migration and Distribution

The Diāo surname is a typical Han Chinese surname, but its population rank does not fall within the top 300 in mainland China or Taiwan Province. In the Song Dynasty’s version of the “Hundred Family Surnames,” it was ranked 450th. The Qīdiāo surname is not among the top 100 in mainland China or Taiwan. Initially, “Qīdiāo” was an occupational title referring to those who worked with lacquer decoration. Their descendants adopted the name of their ancestor’s profession or skill as their surname. The Qīdiāo clan traces its origins to Tai Bo, the founding ruler of the Wu state during the Zhou Dynasty. During the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Lu, a gathering place for nobles, also produced many members of the Qīdiāo clan, including several disciples of Confucius, indicating that this group had migrated from the Wu state to the Lu state over many years. These descendants adopted “Qīdiāo” as their surname. Today, the Qīdiāo surname is prevalent in Yibin County, mainly in the areas of Pu’an, Hengjiang, and Shuanglong, as well as in Yibin city and its surrounding areas. Over time, “Qīdiāo” evolved into the simpler “Qī” surname. The Qīdiāo clan has a strong presence in Caijun (equivalent to present-day Ruanan County, Henan) and Lujun (equivalent to present-day Qufu, Shandong). It is also found in Xiongkou Town, Qianjiang City, Hubei Province.

Hall Names (Tanghao):

• Caizhou Hall: Established based on the clan’s ancestral homeland, also known as Ruanan Hall or Yuzhou Hall.
• Lujun Hall: Established based on the clan’s ancestral homeland, also known as Lujun Hall.
• Sanxian Hall: In the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius had 3,000 disciples and 72 sages, among whom were Qīdiāo Kāi, Qīdiāo Duō, and Qīdiāo Tufu. These three sages were honored by various dynasties (Tang, Song, Ming), and the “Sanxian Hall” is named in their honor.

Notable People with the Qīdiāo Surname:

• Qīdiāo Kāi: Also known as Ziruo or Zikai, a native of the State of Lu at the end of the Spring and Autumn period, possibly from the State of Cai, and a disciple of Confucius. He was known for his humility and self-respect, and his extensive knowledge. His arguments were highly respected.
• Qīdiāo Duō: Also known as Zilian, a native of the State of Lu at the end of the Spring and Autumn period and a disciple of Confucius. He was granted the title of “Wucheng Bo” in the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (739 AD) and “Puyang Hou” in the 2nd year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1009 AD). He was also honored as a “Xianxian” in the 9th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1530 AD).
• Qīdiāo Tufu: Also known as Ziwén, a native of the State of Lu at the end of the Spring and Autumn period and a disciple of Confucius. He was granted the title of “Xugou Bo” in the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (739 AD) and “Gaowan Hou” in the 2nd year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1009 AD). He was also honored as a “Xianxian” in the 9th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1530 AD).