Interpretation of the Geng (耿) Surname Totem

【Meaning】

The character Geng (耿) is composed of the radicals for Ear (耳) and Fire (火). It is an ideogrammatic character representing the roaring or crackling sound produced by a massive, blazing fire. Symbolically, it conveys brightness, alertness (ears hearing the fire), and intense spirit.

【Origins】

1. From the Shang Dynasty Royal Family: During the Shang Dynasty, King Zu Yi established his capital in Xiang (present-day Neihuang, Henan). Later, he moved the capital to Geng (present-day Shanwang Village, southeast of Hejin, Shanxi).

2. The Fief of Zu Bing: A year later, due to flooding from the Yellow River, the King moved the capital again from Geng to Xing. However, a portion of the royal clan chose not to follow the southward migration and remained in Geng. Consequently, the King enfeoffed his younger brother, Zu Bing, as the ruler of the State of Geng.

3. Adoption of the Surname: The descendants of the royal family who remained in the state adopted "Geng" as their surname. Zu Bing is revered as the founding ancestor of the Geng clan. Traditionally, his birthday is celebrated on the 5th day of the 12th lunar month, during which dried persimmons are served as a ritual offering.

Historical & Demographic Profile

Category

Details

Founding Ancestor

Zu Bing (Prince of the Shang Dynasty)

Ancestral Homelands

Neihuang, Henan; Hejin, Shanxi

Prefectural Mansions

Gaoyang, Fufeng, Hedong

Notable Hall Name

Meiyang Hall

Modern Ranking / Population

Ranked 130th / Approx. 1.4 million people

Song Dynasty Ranking

Ranked 115th in the Hundred Family Surnames

Extant Genealogies

19 volumes currently preserved

繁體中文版本 (Traditional Chinese)

耿氏圖騰釋義

【釋義】

「耿」字從耳、從火，為會意字。形像地表示了大火燃燒時發出的巨大聲響。在文化意涵中，耿字代表光明、正直以及如火般熱烈的精神。

【起源】

1. 源於商朝王室： 商代君王祖乙最早將都城設在「相地」（今河南內黃），後遷都至「耿地」（今山西河津山王村一帶）。

2. 祖丙封國： 遷都耿地后的次年，因黃河水患，祖乙再度遷都至邢。此時，一部分商朝公族未隨之南遷，仍留在耿地。祖乙便將其弟祖丙封於耿地，建立「耿國」，並立祖丙為國君。

3. 以國為氏： 耿國子孫後代遂以國名「耿」為姓。祖丙被尊奉為耿氏得姓始祖。民間傳統中，每年農曆臘月初五為祖丙誕辰，後人會擺設柿餅進行祭祀。

歷史與人口概況

類別

詳情

得姓始祖

祖丙

始祖地

河南內黃、山西河津

郡望

高陽、扶風、河東

堂號

美陽堂

當今排序/人口

第130位 / 約140萬人

宋朝百家姓排序

第115位

現存家譜

19