Origins of the Tse Family (谢氏渊源)
The Xie surname traces its origins to Shen Bo (申伯), a descendant of Jiang Ziya (姜太公), a founding figure of the Zhou Dynasty. Shen Bo was granted the fief of Xie (谢邑)—located in today’s Tanghe County, Nanyang, Henan—and his descendants adopted Xie as their surname.
During the late Western Jin period, Xie Heng (谢衡) migrated to Kuaiji’s Dongshan (会稽东山). His descendants, including Xie An (谢安) and Xie Xuan (谢玄), rose to prominence during the Eastern Jin, especially for their leadership in the Battle of Fei River (淝水之战). This era marked the peak of the Xie clan’s influence.
Over the centuries, the clan spread widely across China, including major migrations to Fujian, Jiangxi, and Guangdong.
Introduction
The Hakka Tse (谢) clan in Heshan is primarily concentrated in two areas: **Yueshanxia (月山下)** in Sanbu and **Gaojui Village (高咀村)** in Zhishan. This article outlines the origins of the Tse surname, their migration into Guangdong, and the eventual settlement of Tse Chi-kang (谢子耕) and his descendants in Heshan.
Historical Roots: Descendants of Jiang Ziya
The Tse lineage traces back to **Jiang Ziya (姜太公)**, the legendary founding minister of the Zhou Dynasty. Eleven generations later, his descendant **Shen Bo (申伯)**, who was the uncle of King Xuan of Zhou (r. 827–782 BC), was enfeoffed in **Xie Yi (谢邑)** (located in present-day Tanghe County, Nanyang, Henan Province). Shen Bo adopted the name of his fief as his surname, becoming the founding ancestor of the Tse clan.
The Migration South
The clan remained in the Central Plains until the late Western Jin Dynasty. In 286 AD, **Tse Heng (谢衡)**, the 36th-generation descendant of Shen Bo, served as the head of the National Academy. Due to the “Rebellion of the Eight Kings” and the “Uprising of the Five Barbarians,” he led the clan south to **Dongshan (东山)** in Kuaiji (present-day Shangyu, Zhejiang). He is considered the founding ancestor of the **Kuaiji Branch** (1st generation of Dongshan).
During the Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties, the Dongshan Tse clan became one of the most prominent noble families in southern China, often mentioned alongside the Wang clan (the “Wang-Tse” families). Notable figures included the statesman **Tse An (谢安)** and poets **Tse Lingyun** and **Tse Tiao**.
In 383 AD, the **Battle of Fei River** took place. The Eastern Jin army, led by Tse An, Tse Shi, and Tse Xuan, defeated the massive Former Qin army of Fu Jian. This victory secured the Eastern Jin regime and remains the most glorious chapter in the family’s history. The clan’s ancestral couplet, **”Dongshan’s legacy flows long; Fei River’s fame echoes home” (东山世泽，淝水家声)**, commemorates this event.
Migration to Fujian and Guangdong
After the Tang Dynasty, the clan’s political power waned, leading to the poetic sentiment: *”Swallows that once nested in the halls of the Wang and Tse nobles now fly into the homes of ordinary folk.”*
At the end of the Song Dynasty, **Tse Yingxiu (谢应秀)** (68th generation from Shen Bo) settled in Jiangxi. His son, **Tse Fangde (谢枋得)**, was a famous patriot who resisted the Mongol invasion alongside Wen Tianxiang. After the fall of the Song, his eldest son **Tse Dingzhi (谢定芝)** fled to **Shibi Village, Ninghua County, Fujian**.
By the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, descendants of the “Chun” (春) generation began moving into Guangdong:
– **Tse Mengchun (谢孟春)** moved to **Changle** (now Wuhua County).
– **Tse Jichun (谢季春)** moved to Longchuan and Heping.
– **Tse Fengchun (谢逢春)** moved to Dapu and Meixian.
In 1379 (12th year of Hongwu), **Tse Mengchun** became one of the founding ancestors of the Tse clan in Guangdong.
Settlement in Heshan
Due to poor soil in Changle, descendants eventually moved to Qingyuan. In 1714, **Tse Guobao (谢国宝)** (12th generation of the Guangdong branch) moved to Qingyuan. Finding the land there unsuitable, his son **Tse Chi-kang (谢子耕)** (13th generation) sought better prospects.
In **1724 (2nd year of Yongzheng)**, Chi-kang moved to Kaiping, and finally settled in **Yueshanxia** in **1728**. When Heshan County was established in 1732, the area fell under its jurisdiction. Chi-kang brought his father, Guobao, and brothers to settle and build their lives. They built the **Guobao Tse Ancestral Hall (国宝谢公祠)** in Yueshan.
### Generational Poem (Yueshan Branch)
The clan established a 30-generation poem to determine naming conventions:
> *Guo, Zi, Shi, Shi, Xing; Wen, De, Xian, Chao, Tang.*
> *Yué, Dong, Jū, Guang, Zhao; Qing, He, Zhao, Jia, Xiang.*
By the early 21st century, the clan has lived in Heshan for nearly 280 years, spanning over ten generations. As of the 1990 census, there were approximately 1,300 local members and over 2,000 including overseas relatives in Southeast Asia and the Americas.
The Gaojui Branch
Another branch resides in **Gaojui Village**. Their genealogy was lost, but traditions suggest they arrived from Meizhou during the Kangxi era (around 1698) or from Guishan during the Qianlong era. Their population is approximately 1,200, and they follow their own generational sequence including: *Jun, En, Shi, Wei, Guo, Ying, Jiu, Zhen, Rong, Chang…*
🧾 Naming Generational Poems
Yueshanxia Branch (月山下)
Code
国、子、仕、世、兴，
文、德、显、朝、堂。
粤、东、居、广、肇，
清、鹤、兆、嘉、祥。
Gaozui Branch (高咀村)
Code
俊、恩、时、维、国，
应、久、振、荣、昌，
世、达、年、方、显，
忠、传、韬、杰、祥。