Shun Surname

Surname Overview

Recorded Surname

Shun was surnamed Yao, alternatively Gui; his lineage designation was Youyu and his personal name was Chonghua.

Reference: 舜（上古部落联盟首领）_百度百科

Origins

Origin of the Yao Surname

The explanation of the Yao surname is linked to the account that Yu Shun was born at Yaoxu.

Reference: 舜（上古部落联盟首领）_百度百科

Historical Records

Early Surname Attestations

The Yuanhe Xingzuan records that Yao was born at Yaoxu, with an alternative account placing his birth at Zhufeng; his descendants adopted Yao as their surname.

Reference: 舜（上古部落联盟首领）_百度百科

Yao and Gui

The records state that Yu had two surnames, Yao and Gui: Yao derived from birth at Yaoxu, while Gui derived from residence by the Gui River; Yao and Gui could be used interchangeably.

Reference: 舜（上古部落联盟首领）_百度百科

Migration and Distribution

Descendant Migration and Surname Changes

One line of Shun’s descendants traced through Gui Man, who was enfeoffed in Chen, and Jingzhong, who served in Qi and became the Tian clan. After Tian Feng, his descendant Hui fled turmoil, crossed the Yangtze, settled in Wu Commandery, and adopted Gui; five generations later, Fu changed back to Yao and settled in Wuxing Wukang.

Reference: 舜（上古部落联盟首领）_百度百科

Research Notes

Title and Surname Boundary

In the relevant records, Shun is a posthumous title; the surnames are given as Gui and Yao, the personal name is Chonghua, and the lineage designation is Youyu.

Reference: 舜（上古部落联盟首领）_百度百科