The Ji Family Name#

The Ji family name is pronounced as "jì".

Distribution of the Ji Family Name#

Qi County: During the Western Han Dynasty, it was initially named Linzi County and later renamed Qi County, with its administrative center located in Linzi (Zibo, Shandong). At that time, its jurisdiction included areas such as Zibo City, Yidu, Guangrao, and Linqu in Shandong. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was renamed Qingzhou Beihai County, with its administrative center in Yidu, covering the region around present-day Weifang.

Origins of the Ji Family Name#

The Ji family name is one of the Chinese surnames and ranks 113th in the Song Dynasty version of the "Hundred Family Surnames."

Origins of the Ji surname include:

1. Derived from the Si surname, originating from the fiefdom of the descendants of Dayu, reflecting the practice of using the name of a state as a surname.
2. Derived from the Youxin surname, stemming from the Youxin tribe of the Dongyi people during ancient times and from the wise figure Yi Yin, who changed his surname for certain reasons.
3. Derived from the Ji surname, coming from the descendants of Shaohao Jintian, reflecting the practice of using the name of a residence as a surname.
4. Derived from an official position, originating from the official "Liujì" during the Western Zhou Dynasty, reflecting the practice of using an official title as a surname.
5. Derived from the Ji surname, stemming from Xin Yan, a strategist of the State of Yue during the late Spring and Autumn period, reflecting the practice of using a nickname of an ancestor as a surname.
6. Derived from an official position, originating from the official "Jìbù" during the Spring and Autumn period of the State of Lu, reflecting the practice of using an official title as a surname.
7. Derived from the Ji surname, originating from the official "Jìxiāng" during the Han Dynasty, reflecting the practice of using an official title as a surname.
8. Derived from the Mongolian or Manchu ethnic groups, resulting from sinicization and surname changes.
9. Derived from other ethnic minorities in China, resulting from sinicization and surname changes.

Ancestors of the Ji Family Name: I Yin and Ji Ran (also known as Xin Yan and Xin Wenzǐ).

Migration and Distribution

The Ji family name ranks 113th in the "Hundred Family Surnames." As of January 2009, the total number of people with the Ji surname did not make it into the top 300 largest Chinese surnames. In the Song Dynasty version of the "Hundred Family Surnames," it was ranked 113th.

The distant ancestors of the Ji family are said to be descendants of the ancient emperor Xia Yu, making the Ji surname originate from the Si surname. During the Zhou Dynasty, King Wu of Zhou established the State of Ju, granting a fief to a descendant of the ancient emperor Shaohao in the area of "Ju" (Jiao County, Shandong), and the noble descendants of this state adopted the character "Jì" as their surname. The Ji family later became a prominent clan in the Jingzhao region, known as the "Jingzhao Wang" (prominent clan of Jingzhao).

The Ji surname can be found in various places in China, including Shangrao City and Fuliang County in Jiangxi Province, Pengze County and Youdungangtou Village in Jiujiang City, Baishaxiang Jijiadu in Wangjiang County, Feidong City, Fengtai County, and Lujiang County in Anhui Province; Chuzhou City and Tangtian Town in Chizhou City; Dongzhi County in Anqing City; Ma'anshan City; Huaiyuan County in Bengbu City; Kaifeng City and Gongyang County in Henan Province; Hangzhou City and Yuyao City in Zhejiang Province; Huzhou City; Jiaxing City in Zhejiang Province; Zaodong City in Heilongjiang Province; Danjiangkou City and Yunmeng City in Hubei Province; Suzhou City, Wuxi City, Kunshan City, Yancheng City, and Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province; Changzhou City and Jintan District in Jiangsu Province; Pingshan Town in Luzhai County, Liuzhou City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Longyan Tun in Pingshan Town, Xiangzhou City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Longchang County in Sichuan Province; Qinhuangdao City and Hejian City in Hebei Province; Xianyang City and Xingping City in Shaanxi Province; Nanhui District in Shanghai City; Shuozhou City in Shanxi Province; Linyi City in Shandong Province; Dongfeng County in Jilin Province; Anshan City and Dashiqiao Town in Liaoning Province; Daxing'anling District in Heilongjiang Province; Huize City in Yunnan Province; and Taiwan Province.

Hall Names (Tanghao):

• Jingzhao Tang: Established based on the family's prominence in the Jingzhao region.
• Beihai Tang: Established based on the family's prominence in the Beihai region, also known as Qi Jun Tang.
• Jinjian Tang: During the Southern Song Dynasty, Ji Yougong, the governor of Jianzhou, presented his work "Jinjian" to the emperor, suggesting that the Eastern Jin Dynasty's precarious situation could serve as a mirror for restoring the Central Plains. He was later promoted to the position of "Liangzhe Pingyan Gongshi" (official in charge of salt affairs in Zhejiang).

Notable People with the Ji Surname:

• Ji Ran: A scholar from the State of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period, also known as Xin Yan. His original surname was Xin, and he