Surname Overview
Pronunciation and Overview
The surname Yu is pronounced Yù and is a relatively rare surname currently used among Han Chinese.
Yù Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 4Yù / Yü
Origins
Xianbei Origin
One branch of the Yu surname originated among the historical Xianbei; the Xiqin Lu records it as a Xianbei surname.
Reference: 裕_裕姓氏起源来源_裕姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:裕
Descendants of Yugeng
Yugeng, a member of the Qing Plain White Banner of the Chinese Banners, served as envoy to France during the Guangxu reign; his descendants adopted the first character of his name, Yu, as their surname.
Historical Records
Historical Attestations
The Yu surname appears in the Xing Yuan and Xiqin Lu. The Xu Tongzhi: Shizu Lue also records that the Xianbei official Yu Gou surrendered to Western Qin and received appointments and a title.
Migration and Distribution
Geographic Distribution
The Yu surname is found in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang; You County and Liuyang, Hunan; Beijing; and the Yuncheng, Shuozhou, and Yanbei areas of Shanxi.
Notable People
Yu Gou
Yu Gou was a Xianbei official during the Jin period. After surrendering to Western Qin, he was appointed General Jianzhong and enfeoffed as Marquis of Lanquan.
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