《后汉书·列传·马援列传》
曾祖父马通，以功封为重合侯，因兄长何罗谋反遭连累被杀，所以马援的祖父及父辈不得为显官。
曾祖父通，以功封重合侯，坐兄何罗反，被诛，故援再世不显。
His great-grandfather Ma Tong was granted the title of Marquis of Chonghe for his merits, but his grandfather and father were not able to become prominent officials due to the misfortune of his elder brother He Luo's rebellion.