Surname Overview
Overview
Wu is a rare Chinese surname, with about 12,337 people, mainly distributed in Anhui, Henan, and Sichuan. It is found among Han, Miao, Shui, Tujia, Lisu, and other ethnic groups.
Wu Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 8,437Wu / Wu
Origins
Multiple Origins
The Wu surname has multiple origins: adoption after the Wu surname to avoid persecution; descendants of the Tian clan of the Gui surname receiving surnames according to rank; descendants of Zi Wudang, the fifth son of Duke Huan of Song, adopting their ancestor's name; and sinicization by the Mongolian Tabo and Manchu Eyo clans.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestations
The Song-dynasty scholar Zheng Qiao's Tongzhi: Clan and Surname Summary records that the Wu clan originally belonged to the Wu surname and changed to Wu to avoid persecution. The Xu Baijiaxing once included the compound surname Diwu.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Halls
The Wu surname's commandery seats include Longxi, Dong, and Liaodong. Its hall names include Longxi Hall, also called Xiangwu Hall, Dong Commandery Hall, and Liaodong Hall, all established from their commandery seats.
Migration and Distribution
Distribution and Migration
Today the Wu surname is found in Dongping, Shandong; Taiyuan and Datong, Shanxi; Tacheng, Xinjiang; Lichuan, Hubei; Yiyang, Hunan; Yifeng, Jiangxi; and Jiaojiang, Zhejiang. After the Han dynasty, it gradually spread to Shandong, Hubei, and other areas.
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Surname attestation references
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