Hu Surname

Surname Overview

Usual Pronunciation

As a surname, Hu is pronounced “hǔ” in the overwhelming majority of cases, not “māo.”

Reference: 虎作姓氏的时候要念猫？别被一些假科普给骗了，就读hǔ_腾讯新闻

Origins

The Bo Hu Line

One branch of the Hu surname traces to the descendants of Bo Hu, a noted minister in the time of Emperor Ku of Gaoxin; they adopted Hu as their surname to commemorate his achievements.

Reference: 虎作姓氏的时候要念猫？别被一些假科普给骗了，就读hǔ_腾讯新闻

The Ji Hu Line

Another branch came from Ji Hu, a descendant of Duke Zhao Ji Shi, the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou. After his fief was destroyed by the Quanrong, his descendants adopted Hu as their surname in remembrance of his merit and their former state.

Reference: 虎作姓氏的时候要念猫？别被一些假科普给骗了，就读hǔ_腾讯新闻

A Yuan-Dynasty Origin

During the Yuan dynasty, some people from other ethnic groups adopted Hu from the first character of the Chinese transcription of their names; the Yuan Shi Clan Table also records that some descendants of Hu-surnamed families changed their surname to Hu.

Reference: 虎作姓氏的时候要念猫？别被一些假科普给骗了，就读hǔ_腾讯新闻

Historical Records

Pre-Qin Record

The “Wen Gong, 18th Year” chapter of the Zuo Zhuan records that Gaoxin氏 had eight talented sons, including Bo Hu, collectively known as the “Eight Yuan.”

Reference: 虎作姓氏的时候要念猫？别被一些假科普给骗了，就读hǔ_腾讯新闻

Research Notes

Minor Dialectal Readings

In Huji湾 of Nanbu County, Sichuan, Hu-surnamed villagers use “māo” when addressing one another; in some Tujia areas of Hubei, “虎” is also sometimes pronounced “māo.” These are minor exceptions.

Reference: 虎作姓氏的时候要念猫？别被一些假科普给骗了，就读hǔ_腾讯新闻