Dai Clan

Overview

The Dai family is listed under the Nikan surnames within the Manchu Banners in Volume 77 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*. The first ancestor, whose electronic version reads "Zai Yunlong," was a bondservant of the Bordered Yellow Banner, residing in Shenyang. His grandson, Zai Qifu, served as an eighth-rank official; Dai Qizhang and Dai Qiyu served as cavalry captains; his great-grandson, Wu Ertai, served as a scribe; and his great-great-grandson, Qi Keteng, served as a third-class bodyguard during the compilation of the genealogy. The characters "Zai" and "Dai" appear together in the title and some names, and are not currently altered.

Another branch, belonging to the Plain Yellow Banner bondservant, resided in Fushun and served as a pastoral chief. His son, Qin Liu, served as an assistant minister and internal steward; his grandsons, Musen and Fubao, served as internal stewards; Dai Bao served as a lieutenant commander and ceremonial officer; Dai Wen served as an assistant minister; and his great-grandson, Dai Qi, served as a military officer. Additionally, one branch, led by Dai Zhong, originated in Changbai Mountain, and another branch, led by Dai Yongxiang, originated in Lannihe.

The Inner Guardian managed supplies and provisions, the zuoling was responsible for grassroots organization and management, and the Ceremonial Officer was in charge of the ceremonies of the prefecture; the concurrent appointment of the Dai Bao indicated that he bore multiple responsibilities. The Bite Shi was a transliteration of the Manchu word bithesi, who was responsible for document and translation work. Each branch within the same surname has independent information on banner affiliation, ancestral home, and lineage; the relationship between the characters Zai and Dai, as well as their specific terms of office, still need to be verified against the original printed edition.