Lou Surname

Surname Overview

The Lou surname ranks 225th among surnames in China today; its population is relatively large and accounts for about 0.03% of China’s Han population.

Reference: 源于孔孟之乡的姓氏（31）——娄姓_河南

Origins

Two Main Origins

The Lou surname has two main origins, from the Si and Cao surnames. The Si branch arose when Dong Lou Gong’s descendants adopted Lou as their surname; the Cao branch arose from the Zhu Lou and Lou families after the fall of the Zhu Lou state.

Reference: 娄姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The New Book of Tang and the Tongzhi record that Dong Lou Gong, a descendant of Shao Kang of Xia, was enfeoffed in Qi; after Qi was destroyed by Chu, his descendants received Lou as a fief and adopted it as their surname.

Reference: 源于孔孟之乡的姓氏（31）——娄姓_河南

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The Lou surname’s commandery seats include Qiao Commandery and Dongyang Commandery; its hall names include “Qiao Commandery,” “Dongyang,” and “Five Marquises.”

Reference: 源于孔孟之乡的姓氏（31）——娄姓_河南

Migration and Distribution

The Lou surname initially multiplied mainly in Shandong. During the Three Kingdoms, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, some moved south of the Yangtze River to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, forming a settlement around Jinhua in Zhejiang; during the late Tang and Five Dynasties, more migrated to Jiangxi.

Reference: 源于孔孟之乡的姓氏（31）——娄姓_河南

Notable People

Historical Figure

Lou Shide was a Tang dynasty chancellor from Yuanwu in Zhengzhou. He served as a general and chancellor overseeing frontier affairs for thirty years in total and achieved merit wherever he served.

Reference: 源于孔孟之乡的姓氏（31）——娄姓_河南