Ji (surname 汲)


Jí is the Mandarin pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname written in Chinese character. It is romanized as Chi in Wade–Giles, and Kap in Cantonese. Ji is listed 213th in the Song dynasty classic text Hundred Family Surnames. It is not among the 300 most common surnames in China.

Origins

There are two main sources of the Ji 汲 surname:
1. From the state of Wey. According to the Song dynasty text Lushi, during the Spring and Autumn period, Crown Prince Ji, the son of Duke Xuan of Wey, lived in the settlement of Ji 汲, and his descendants adopted the place name as their surname.
2. From the state of Qi. According to the Han dynasty text Fengsu Tongyi, during the Spring and Autumn period, a son or grandson of Duke Xuan of Qi was enfeoffed at the settlement of Ji 汲, and his descendants adopted Ji as their surname.

Meanings of the character from Ancient Text

1. Draw water from a well.
2. Describe a feeling of urgency, hard pursuit.
3. Family name.

Notable people