Ou Surname

Surname Overview

Overview

The surname Ou is pronounced ōu and written 歐 in traditional Chinese. It is a relatively common current surname found across multiple regions and ethnic groups.

Reference: 欧姓_欧姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

The Yue Origin

One account traces the surname Ou to the Si surname and treats it as belonging to the same lineage as Ouyang. It derives from Ti, the second son of King Wuj in Yue, who was enfeoffed south of Ouyu Mountain in Wucheng; the Ou, Ouyang, and Ouhou surnames later emerged.

Reference: 姓氏文化：欧姓_欧氏_越王_会稽

Multiple Origins

Other accounts trace the surname to surname changes from Dugu and Kong, as well as sinicized surname changes among Mongolian and other ethnic groups.

Reference: 姓氏文化：欧姓_欧氏_越王_会稽

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The Ou surname has Pingyang as a commandery origin. Its hall names include Pingyang Hall, Bohai Hall, Luling Hall, Poyang Hall, also called Raozhou Hall, and Eight Swords Hall.

Reference: 欧姓_欧姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

The Ou surname developed in Zhejiang and Fujian in its early period. In the early Tang, some Ou families entered Fujian with Chen Zheng and Chen Yuanguang; around the Song-Yuan transition, some moved to Guangdong and Guangxi, and after the mid-Ming, some Ou families from Fujian and Guangdong went to Taiwan and later overseas.

Reference: 姓氏文化：欧姓_欧氏_越王_会稽