Mo Surname

Surname Overview

Mo is pronounced mò and is a currently uncommon Chinese surname, found today in Beijing and Wuhan, Hubei, among other places.

Reference: 貊姓_貊姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Origin

Mo was the name of an ancient state and may have become a surname from the state name. It is identified with Mohe, described as belonging to the ancient northeastern Yi and Samhan, in the Korean Peninsula today.

Reference: 貊姓_貊姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Xu Tongzhi: Shizulüe records Mo under the entering-tone section. The Xing shi kao lüe gives its pronunciation as “陌” and cites the Book of Songs: “其追其貊,” glossed as “貊，国名.”

Reference: 貊姓_貊姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution

The surname is found in Huainan, Anhui; Beijing; Wuhan, Hubei; and Taichung, Nantou, and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

Reference: 貊姓_貊姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

In the Yuan dynasty, Mo Gao of Taihe, Anhui, served first as a general under Köke Temür and later as a pingzhangshi during the Zhizheng era. In the Ming dynasty, Mo An was magistrate of Neihuang and Mo Tingyong was judge of Yingchuan.

Reference: 貊姓_貊姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Research Notes

Distinction from Mai

“麦” and “貊” were originally two different surnames; some people surnamed 貊 changed their surname to 麦 for easier recognition when living away from home.

Reference: 貊姓_貊姓的来源_貊姓族谱_姓氏貊姓的名人_貊氏家谱_百家姓