Surname Overview
The Gao surname is not ranked among the top one hundred surnames in mainland China or Taiwan.
Gao Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 182,392Gao / Gao
Origins
Origin in the Ji Surname
The Gao surname derives from the Ji surname. The eleventh son of King Wen of Zhou was enfeoffed at Gao and established the State of Gao; after the state fell during the Spring and Autumn period, his descendants adopted its name as their surname.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestations
The Shi Ben, Tongzhi: Clan Records, and Mingxian Shizu Yanhang Leigao all connect the Gao surname with Gao Hou, son of King Wen of Zhou, and the State of Gao.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commandery and Hall Name
The Gao clan's commandery was Jingzhao Commandery, and its hall name was Jigu Hall. The hall name arose from Gao Tan's study of the Spring and Autumn Annals and his work Chunqiu Jigu Zhu.
Migration and Distribution
Early Geographic Center
The State of Gao was divided into Southern Gao and Northern Gao, with Northern Gao southeast of present-day Chengwu County in Shandong; Chengwu County is identified as the birthplace of the Gao surname.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Gao Zhen served as Chief of Gaochang during the Jin dynasty; Gao Lian was a Qing-dynasty traveler; Gao Tan was a Qing-dynasty scholar of the Spring and Autumn Annals; and Gao Zhizhang was a Yuan-dynasty poet and Confucian scholar.
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