Wǔ Surname

Surname Overview

A Rare Han Chinese Surname

Wu (午), pronounced Wǔ, is a relatively rare modern Han Chinese surname, found in Taiyuan, Datong, Yangquan, Linfen, Shuozhou, and other parts of Shanxi.

Reference: 午姓_午姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Descent from Prince Wu of Chu

One lineage is recorded as descending from Prince Wu of Chu in the Spring and Autumn period, adopting his personal name as its surname and tracing to the Mi clan.

Reference: 午_午姓氏起源来源_午姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:午

Change from Niu to Wu

Another lineage arose through a change from the surname Niu: after Niu Jinxing joined Li Zicheng's rebel army in the late Ming and it was defeated, his relatives changed their surname to Wu for fear of collective punishment.

Reference: 午_午姓氏起源来源_午姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:午

Historical Records

Surname Records

The surname Wu is recorded in Xing Yuan and is also included in the clan section of Xu Tongzhi.

Reference: 午_午姓氏起源来源_午姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:午

Migration and Distribution

Geographic Distribution

The surname Wu is found in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang; Lulong, Hebei; Fengcheng and Pingxiang, Jiangxi; Taipei, Taiwan; and Daixian and Wanrong, Shanxi, among other places.

Reference: 午_午姓氏起源来源_午姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:午

Notable People

Historical Figures

Recorded figures include Wu Ruchen of the Han dynasty, Wu Xiang, a successful Chunxi-era jinshi candidate of the Song dynasty, and Wu Mingchen, a Xuande-era juren of the Ming dynasty.

Reference: 午_午姓氏起源来源_午姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:午