Surname Overview
Standard Pronunciation
The standard pronunciation of the surname 粟 is sù, in the fourth tone.
Su Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 204,669Su / Su
Origins
Official Title and Surname Change
The surname 粟 has two main origins: an official title and a surname change. The descendants of Han-dynasty officials called 治粟都尉 adopted 粟 from the title, while descendants of the Shu native Su Jin changed their surname to 粟 because of a phonetic error during the Zhengde era of the Ming dynasty.
Historical Records
Documentary Records
The Xingzuan records a Han-dynasty official called 治粟都尉 and states that the surname 粟 arose from the office. The Xing shi kaolue notes that 治粟都尉 may be an error for 治粟内史 and records Jiangling as the commandery association.
Migration and Distribution
Ming-Dynasty Migration
During the Ming dynasty, the relatively small 粟 population was mainly distributed in Hunan and Sichuan. In contemporary ancestry records, the main areas are Hunan, Guangxi, and Sichuan.
Genealogy and Generation Names
Genealogical Generation Names
The recorded generation-name sequence of the 粟 lineage is “Zheng, Da, Cheng, Ming, Qi; Xue, Dao, Deng, Yun, Gui; Guang, Zu, Wan, Shi, Xing; Jia, Ting, Kai, Ren, Yi; Yong, Le, Tai, Ping, Chun,” followed by another 26 generations.
Continue your family research
Start with ancestral counties, villages, personal names and dates. Record genealogy titles, volumes, editions and catalog identifiers. A shared surname does not prove a shared lineage; compare branch records.
Surname attestation references
These catalogs or datasets attest written names, not every origin or lineage claim on this page.
This page includes automatically organized material. Check the references and original family documents.
Add or correct information
Submit the information and a reference link for possible inclusion on this page.