Gang Surname

Surname Overview

Gang is a relatively uncommon surname today, broadly distributed among the Han, Tibetan, Gelao, and other ethnic groups.

Reference: 刚姓_刚姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Origin in Gangyi

One branch of the Gang surname originated from Gangyi in the State of Qi during the Warring States period and took the settlement's name as its surname.

Reference: 刚姓_刚姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Xianbei Branch

Hou Gang, a member of the Xianbei Houfuhou clan, received the name “Gang” from Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei. Some descendants adopted Gang as their surname, while some restored the surname Hou during the Eastern Wei period.

Reference: 刚姓_刚姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Xing shi kao lue records that the Gang surname took its name from a settlement and cites the Shi ji phrase “conquer Qi and take Gang and Shou”; the related account identifies Gangyi with the area of present-day Gangcheng Town, Ningyang, Shandong.

Reference: 刚姓_刚姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The Gang surname has the commandery designations Fengyi and Luoyang, with the hall names Fengyi Hall and Luoyang Hall, both established from these commanderies.

Reference: 刚姓_刚姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Modern Distribution

Today, Gang clanspeople are mainly distributed in Shandong, Shaanxi, Shandong, and Liaoning, and some Manchu, Mongolian, and Xibe people also use Gang as a surname.

Reference: 刚姓_刚姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figure: Gang Yi

Gang Yi was a Manchu official of the late Qing period and a member of the Bordered Blue Banner. He served as Minister of War and Assistant Grand Secretary, and died in Houma Town, Shanxi, in 1900.

Reference: 刚姓_刚姓的来源和历史_百家姓