Du Surname

Surname Overview

Overview

The surname Du is pronounced dú. It is currently rare, occurs in both northern and southern China, and is reported to have slightly over 3,000 bearers, ranking around 1,002nd.

Reference: 中国百家姓——独姓

Origins

Three origin traditions are recorded: descent from the Northern Wei-era Northern Xianbei Dugu tribe; descent from Liu Qubei, the Right Worthy King of the Southern Xiongnu during the Three Kingdoms period; and origin in the Northern Wei-era Dai-region Xianbei Duguhun tribe.

Reference: 独姓_独姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Records

The surname Du is not included in the commonly known Hundred Family Surnames. Its earliest reported record is in the Ming dynasty work Wànxìng Tǒngpǔ; the Clan Records sections of the Zheng Tongzhi and Xu Tongzhi also include the surname.

Reference: 中国百家姓——独姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution

The surname is distributed in Qinhuangdao in Hebei; Fenyang in Shanxi; Longnan in Gansu; Guangzhou in Guangdong; Mianyang in Sichuan; Huaxian and Wugong in Shaanxi; Urumqi in Xinjiang; and Peixian in Xuzhou, Jiangsu.

Reference: 中国百家姓——独姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Du Li was a Huazhou native of the Ming dynasty, a successful candidate in the Yongle period examinations, and served as an educational instructor in Pingyang. The records also mention Du Yong, a Xiongnu Yüqu commander in the Jin dynasty, and Du Ru, a Nan-Qiang figure of Western Qin.

Reference: 独姓_独姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Genealogy and Generation Names

Generation Names

Some Du lineages use generation-name characters such as Deng, Tai, Shao, Jia, and Xue, or Yang, Wei, Wan, Shi, Qi, Chang, Zhi, Cun, Yong, and Sheng.

Reference: 中国百家姓——独姓