Mò Surname

Surname Overview

The Mo surname is not among the top 100 surnames in mainland China or Taiwan; its population is small and its distribution is scattered.

Reference: 墨姓起源历史_墨姓氏族谱郡望堂号_中华百家姓

Origins

Two Origins

The Mo surname has two origins: one derives from the Jiang surname and the descendants of Mo Ru, a descendant of Yandi and the teacher of Yu the Great; the other derives from the Motai or Motai lineage, descendants of the rulers of the Shang-era Guzhu state, later shortened to Mo.

Reference: 墨姓起源历史_墨姓氏族谱郡望堂号_中华百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Records

The Qianfu Lun records “Yu's teacher was Mo Ru”; the Tongzhi: Clan Records records “originally the Motai lineage, later changed to Mo”; and the Xing Kao records that the descendants of the Guzhu ruler, the Motai lineage, changed to Mo.

Reference: 墨姓大全 - 族谱宝

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery Seat

The prominent Mo lineage was based in Liang Commandery. Its administrative seat was successively associated with Suiyang and Xiayi, corresponding today to the area from southern Shangqiu in Henan to Dangshan in Anhui.

Reference: 墨姓大全 - 族谱宝

Migration and Distribution

The Mo surname was active in areas of present-day Hebei and Liaoning in its early period, later dispersing to various regions; today it is found mainly in Shaanxi and Sichuan.

Reference: 墨姓起源历史_墨姓氏族谱郡望堂号_中华百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Mozi, personal name Di, lived approximately from 479 to 381 BCE and was a thinker, political figure, and founder of Mohism during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period; Mo Lin was a Minister of War Vice Director in the early Ming dynasty and was originally from Gaoling, Shaanxi.

Reference: 墨姓大全 - 族谱宝