Surname Overview
Three Main Origins
The Guo surname mainly has three origins: Ren, Ji, and residence-based origins.
Guo Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 13,589,708Guo / Kuo
Origins
The Ancient Guo and Guo States
The Ren-origin Guo surname came from the ancient Guo state; the Ji-origin Guo surname was connected with the Guo states enfeoffed by King Wu of Zhou and with the descendants of Guo Gong.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Hall Names
Guo surname commanderies included Taiyuan, Huayin, Fengyi, Fenyang, Jingzhao, Henei, Dunhuang, Zhongshan, Guantao, Changle, Yangqu, and Yingchuan. Major hall names included Zunxian, Taiyuan, Huayin, Fengyi, and Fenyang Hall.
Migration and Distribution
Historical Migration and Distribution
Before the Qin dynasty, the Guo surname was mainly active in Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, and Hebei. After the Qin and Han periods it spread north and south; during the Song, Yuan, and Ming periods, migration generally moved from north to southeast and from west to east, and it reached Taiwan in the late Ming and early Qing.
Notable People
Early Guo Figures
Guo Ai and Guo Zhi are listed as the earliest notable Guo figures in history, while Guo Chong was a minister of the Shang king. During the Warring States period, Guo Kui was known for his role in recruiting worthy talents.
Genealogy and Generation Names
Generation Names
Guo branches use different generation-name sequences. For example, the Xiaogan branch in Hubei uses “Guo You Zhong Zhen, Yong Deng He Mu, Chang Fa Qi Xiang,” while the Longchang branch in Sichuan uses “Yu Ren Guang Zu, Cheng Shi Shao Zong.”
Continue your family research
Start with ancestral counties, villages, personal names and dates. Record genealogy titles, volumes, editions and catalog identifiers. A shared surname does not prove a shared lineage; compare branch records.
Surname attestation references
These catalogs or datasets attest written names, not every origin or lineage claim on this page.
This page includes automatically organized material. Check the references and original family documents.
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