Back to surname library
Surname dossier
gānSeptember 28, 2025

甘姓

The Gan surname originated from ancient Chinese states and officials, including the Xia Dynasty's Gan State, Shang minister Gan Pan, and Zhou Dynasty enfeoffments. Key ancestral regions were Bohai and Danyang commanderies, with notable historical figures like Gan Luo earning honors such as "Jiu Xue" and "Wucheng Tang."

Ranked #242
Generate given names

Gan Surname

Surname: Gan, pronunciation: gān

Regions Where the Gan Surname is Found

  • Bohai Commandery: Established during the Western Han Dynasty, corresponding to the coastal areas of present-day Hebei Province and Liaoning Province along the Bohai Bay.
  • Danyang Commandery: Established in the second year of Emperor Wu of Han’s Yuanshou reign (121 BCE), corresponding to the present-day Xuancheng area in Anhui Province.

Origins of the Gan Surname

The origin of the “Gan” surname can be traced back to the following periods:

  1. Xia Dynasty: During the Xia Dynasty, there was a vassal state called Gan State (located southwest of present-day Luoyang, Henan Province). After the state was conquered, its royal family dispersed and adopted the name of their former kingdom as their surname, forming one branch of the Gan lineage.
  2. Shang Dynasty: Emperor Wuding of Shang studied under Gan Pan, who later became the king of Shang and appointed Gan Pan as his minister. Gan Pan’s descendants adopted his name as their surname.
  3. From the Ji (Ji) Clan: During the reign of King Wu of Zhou, members of the Ji clan were enfeoffed as vassal kings within the Zhou territory. One of them was granted the fief of Gan, and his descendants also took the Gan surname.
  4. Descendants of Prince Zhaoyang of Gan during the Spring and Autumn Period: Another branch of the Gan surname originates from the descendants of Prince Zhaoyang of Gan.

Tanghao (Honorary Titles)

  • “Jiu Xue” (Old Learning): Gan Pan, a teacher of King Wu of Shang, was honored with this title.
  • “Wucheng Tang” (Five Cities Hall): During the Warring States period, Gan Luo from the State of Qin was sent as an envoy to the State of Zhao at the age of 12. Thanks to Gan Luo’s diplomatic efforts, Zhao ceded five cities to Qin. Qin then appointed Gan Luo as a high-ranking official and granted him the land of Tiantu, which belonged to Gan Luo’s grandfather Gan Mao, making him the Left Chancellor.

These titles reflect the historical significance and prestige associated with the Gan surname.