克 Surname

Surname Overview

Ke is currently a relatively rare surname, pronounced kè, found in Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Fujian, and Yunnan, among other places, and used by Han and Lisu people.

Reference: 克_克姓氏起源来源_克姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:克

Origins

Ji-Surname Origin

One branch derives from the Ji surname and traces to Ji Ke, a minister of King Yi of Zhou in the Western Zhou period; it took the ancestor’s name as its surname, and his descendants passed down Ke as a surname.

Reference: 克姓_克姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Multiethnic Branches

Ke also appears as a sinicized surname among Manchu, Mongol, Ewenki, Daur, Hezhen, and Xibe people.

Reference: 克姓_克姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Records and Historical Figure

The Zhongwen Dazidian, citing the Xingyuan, records the Ke surname. In the Ming dynasty, Ke Geng, also rendered “Ke Geng” in the Xing氏词典, was from Shanxi and served as county assistant magistrate of Yingshang during the Hongwu era.

Reference: 克_克姓氏起源来源_克姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:克

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The recorded commandery associations are Yingyang and Zhangye. The hall names are Yingyang Hall and Zhangye Hall, both established from the commandery associations.

Reference: 克姓_克姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution and Migration

Ke communities are recorded in Wangpanzhuang and Zhanghuitou Village of Fucheng County, Hebei. A genealogy from Kejiatai in Yingyang, Henan, records that Ke Fuli retired there during the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty; descendants later spread across Yingyang, Baofeng, and Xiangcheng, with smaller numbers in Zhengzhou, Shandong, Heilongjiang, and Shanghai.

Reference: 克姓_克姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Genealogy and Generation Names

Genealogical Generation Names

Recorded generation names include Chun, Qing, Jun, Ya, and Xin in some Ke villages of Fucheng County, Hebei; Guo, Cheng, Ji, and Yan in Kejiazhuang and Hongshui Township, Minle County, Gansu; and Zhi, Wen, Bu, Jin, and Xiu in Shunxi Village, Huai'an, Jiangsu.

Reference: 克姓_克姓的来源和历史_百家姓