Gao Family History

The surname 高 (Gao) means ‘high’ in Chinese and has various historical origins. It is said to be borne by descendants of Gao Yuan (高元), an official during the reign of the legendary Huang Di, the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). Another origin comes from a fief called Gao (高) located in Yuxian, Henan province, which was granted to Prince Gao, son of Duke Wen of Qi, the 10th recorded ruler of the state of Qi who died in 804 BC.

Additionally, the surname is associated with the personal name Zi Gao (子高), who was the style name of Prince Qi, son of Duke Hui of Qi, ruler of the state of Qi who died in 599 BC. It is also borne by descendants of Yuan Jingan and Yuan Wenyao, who were endowed with the surname Gao (高) by Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi (526–559 AD). Gao Long (高隆) adopted the surname during the Northern Qi dynasty, claiming it instead of his foster father's surname 徐.

The surname was further adopted by Emperor Mu-Rong Yun (died 409 AD) in the Later Yan dynasty (384–407 AD) and by certain families in the Xianbei and Gaoli (Korean) ethnic groups in northern China. Another surname, 郜 (Gao), derives from the name of a state granted to the 11th son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC). After its annexation by the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC), the name was adopted as a surname.

Lastly, the surname 皋 (Gao), meaning ‘marsh,’ has its roots traced back to Gao Yao (皋陶), an official responsible for penalties during Emperor Shun’s reign (c. 23rd century BC). It also originates from the personal name Gao Ru (皋如), an official in the state of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period, and from an ancient tribe or small state called Gao (皋), which was later annexed by the state of Jin during the same period.