Surname Overview
A Rare Surname
Shu is one of China's rare surnames, pronounced shū, with a population of about 20,000.
Shu Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 16Shu / Shu
Origins
Three Origin Traditions
Three origin traditions are recorded for the Shu surname: descent from the Jiang clan, adoption of the name of a weapon, and descent from Shuqian of the Youyu clan.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestation
The Comprehensive Records, Genealogical Treatise states that the Shu clan descended from Shuqian, a minister of Shun, and took his name as its surname.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies of Origin
The main commanderies associated with the Shu surname are Wugong and Wu; Wugong was located east of present-day Mei County in Shaanxi, while Wu corresponds to present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu.
Migration and Distribution
Main Distribution
Historically, Shu families were mainly distributed in the lower Yangtze region, especially Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai; Shu villages are still found in Wu County, Jiangsu, and Jiaxing, Zhejiang.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Shu Jizhen was a Daoist figure of the Liu Song period; Shu Mo was a woman from Jiashan in the Qing dynasty who wrote poetry and excelled in calligraphy, especially regular script.
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Surname attestation references
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