在明代基层乡治组织的研究中,由于受历史、地理、习俗等诸方面因素的影响,有关其组织的具体名目及其在基层社会中所表示的真切含义,极其混乱芜杂,各种史籍的记载也相互不一,莫衷一是,常有多种不同的指称,是学界迄今尚未得到较为合理阐释的问题之一。搞清这些名目的真实含义及其相应的历史渊源,正确使用这些名目概念,对于我们进一步深化明代基层乡治组织的研究,无疑具有十分重要的意义。本文拟将其中较为常 In the study of grass-roots rural organizations in the Ming Dynasty, due to the influence of various factors such as history, geography and customs, the specific names of their organizations and their true meanings expressed in the grass-roots society are extremely mixed and confusing. Various historical books The records are also different. There are many different allegations often made and are one of the problems that the academic circles have yet to get a more reasonable explanation so far. Understanding the true meaning of these names and their corresponding historical origins, and correctly using the concepts of these names, is undoubtedly of great significance for us to further deepen the study of grassroots rural organizations in the Ming Dynasty. This article intends to be one of the more common