Surname Overview
Rare Compound Surname and Current Distribution
Tuoba (Tuò bá) is currently a relatively rare compound surname, distributed in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang, Liaoning, among other places.
Tuoba Surname
Surname profileTuoba / T'o-pa
Origins
Main Origins
The Tuoba surname traces to the sinicized surname of the Xianbei Tuoba branch descended from the Yellow Emperor, the Xianbei Tuoba tribe, and descendants of Li Mu and Yuan Ziyong who received the Tuoba surname from emperors.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestations and Variants
The Wei Shu records that the surname arose in connection with Kun, the younger son of Changyi, son of the Yellow Emperor, receiving the northern territory, and that Emperor Xiaowen later changed it to Yuan. The surname also appears in the Bei Shi and Tong Zhi, with forms including Tuoba, Tuoba, Tuoba, Tuoba, and Tuobu.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Hall Names
The Tuoba surname is associated with Yingchuan and Yanmen commanderies. Its hall names include Yingchuan Hall and Yanmen Hall, both established from commandery associations.
Migration and Distribution
Migration and Surname Changes
The Tuoba branch first lived around the Heilongjiang and Nenjiang river basins and the Greater Khingan area, then moved west into the northern desert, south to Yunzhong, and later to Shengle. After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, the royal clan changed its surname to Yuan.
Notable People
Historical Figures of Northern Wei
Tuoba Gui founded Northern Wei; Tuoba Si was its Emperor Mingyuan; Tuoba Tao was its Emperor Taiwu; and Tuoba Hong was its Emperor Xiaowen.
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