Shou Surname

Surname Overview

Shou is a currently uncommon surname found among the Han and Tujia peoples, with a relatively broad distribution.

Reference: 首姓_首姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Three origins are recorded for the Shou surname: one from the poor four surnames of ancient Tianzhu; one from Shouyang and Shouzhi, using place names as surnames; and one from adopting “Shou” directly as a surname.

Reference: 首姓_首姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The surname is included in the Continued Comprehensive Gazetteer, while Mengxi Bitan records that “the poor four surnames of Tianzhu included Shou,” and Xingyuan records Shou Deren, a prefectural judicial officer in Tingzhou during the Hongzhi era of the Ming dynasty.

Reference: 首姓_首姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution

The Shou surname is found in Chen County, Xiangtan, Yizhang, and Liuyang in Hunan; Wujin in Jiangsu; Zhenxiong and Weishan in Yunnan; Wuhan in Hubei; Chengdu in Sichuan; Shanghai; Taipei, Taoyuan, Tainan, and Hualien in Taiwan; as well as Beijing and Xi'an in Shaanxi.

Reference: 首姓_首姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

The Ming dynasty had Shou Qian and Shou Deren, and the Qing dynasty had Shou Mingsheng. Shou Deren, from Changsha in Hunan, became a recommended scholar during the Hongzhi era and served as a judicial officer of Tingzhou Prefecture.

Reference: 首姓_首姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Research Notes

Documented Boundaries

The recorded location of Shouyang is given both as present-day Yanshi in Henan and as southwest of present-day Longxi in Gansu. Ethnic affiliations recorded for the surname include Han and Tujia, along with a statement identifying it as a Yi surname.

Reference: 首姓_首姓的来源和历史_百家姓