Bo Surname

Surname Overview

A Rare, Multi-Origin Surname

Bo is an ancient, rare surname of multiple ethnic and genealogical origins, with its prominent lineage associated with Hedong Commandery.

Reference: 伯氏百科-伯氏族谱-伯氏起源-伯氏家谱-族谱网

Origins

Three Early Lineages

Early Bo lineages include descendants of Boyi of the Ying clan, descendants of Boyi of the Jiang clan, and descendants of the Jin official Xun Linfu; Xun Linfu's grandson adopted his grandfather's courtesy name Bo as a surname.

Reference: 伯氏百科-伯氏族谱-伯氏起源-伯氏家谱-族谱网

Official-Title and Compound-Surname Branches

Other branches are traced to descendants of Western Zhou counts who adopted their rank as a surname, or to shortened forms of compound surnames such as Zongbo, Bocheng, Bohuang, and Bochang.

Reference: 伯氏百科-伯氏族谱-伯氏起源-伯氏家谱-族谱网

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Hedong Commandery and Hall Names

The surname's commandery association is Hedong, and its hall names include Hedong Hall and Boyi Hall. Hedong Hall takes its name from the commandery, while Boyi Hall commemorates Boyi, who aided Yu in flood control and declined succession.

Reference: 伯氏百科-伯氏族谱-伯氏起源-伯氏家谱-族谱网

Migration and Distribution

Modern Distribution

The surname Bo, pronounced bó, is geographically widespread but uncommon. It occurs in Wuqing in Tianjin; Jingxian and Huanghua in Hebei; Longkou in Shandong; Taiyuan in Shanxi; Laohekou in Hubei; Guichi in Anhui; and Wuchuan in Guangdong, among both Han and Hui people.

Reference: 伯氏百科-伯氏族谱-伯氏起源-伯氏家谱-族谱网

Notable People

Bo Pi, Grand宰 of Wu

Bo Pi was a Spring and Autumn period member of the Bo clan, with the courtesy name Ziyu. After fleeing to Wu, he became its Grand宰 through merit and later submitted to Yue after Wu fell.

Reference: 伯氏百科-伯氏族谱-伯氏起源-伯氏家谱-族谱网