Origins
Descendants of the Asu Clan
Among the descendants of Asu Arslan, leader of the Asu clan of the Mongol Qarluq tribe, some adopted Chinese characters that approximated their ancestor's designation, becoming surnamed Su (速) or Su (苏).
Reference: 速姓起源分布与家谱家族
Descendants of Nasir al-Din
One Hui branch of the Su surname descends from Nasir al-Din, eldest son of Sayyid Ajjal Shams al-Din Omar. His descendants adopted the surname Su (速), or in some cases Su (苏), through phonetic transcription of his name and are mainly distributed in Yiliang, Yunnan.
Reference: 速姓起源分布与家谱家族
Adoption by the Esuri Clan
From the mid-Qing period onward, members of the Manchu and Daur Esuri clan commonly adopted Chinese surnames including Su (苏) and Su (速).
Reference: 速姓起源分布与家谱家族
Historical Records
Textual and Biographical Records
The surname Su (速, sù) first appears in Xing Yuan and is also included in Qing Tongzhi: Shizulüe. Recorded bearers include Su Xijue, prefect of Lianzhou in the Song dynasty; Su Wenhuan of the Yuan; Su Bin of the Ming; and Su Bingzhi, magistrate of Pingle in the Qing.
Reference: 速姓_速姓的来源和历史_百家姓
Migration and Distribution
Ethnic Groups and Distribution
Su is a multiethnic surname with multiple origins, found chiefly among Mongols, Hui, and Manchus. It is present in Yiliang, Yunnan; Changchun, Jilin; Xining, Qinghai; Wuzhong, Ningxia; Beijing; and the Inner Mongolian cities of Chifeng, Baotou, and Hulunbuir, among other places.
Reference: 速姓起源分布与家谱家族
Research Notes
Yunnan Legend of Adding the Walking Radical
A tradition in Yiliang, Yunnan, says that the Shu surname (束) became Su (速) by adding the walking radical. This account is regarded as a legend formed under particular historical circumstances and as lacking a factual historical basis.
Reference: 速姓起源与历史 - 最酷在线工具
