Wu Surname

Surname Overview

Population and Distribution

The Wu surname accounts for about 0.11% of China’s Han population and ranks 121st, with the largest concentrations in Hubei, Hunan, and Guangdong.

Reference: 伍姓起源历史_伍姓氏族谱郡望堂号_中华百家姓

Origins

Two Origins

The Wu surname has two main origins: the ancient Wu lineage from Wu Xu, a minister of the Yellow Emperor, and the Mi-surname lineage from Wu Shen of Chu, whose descendants formed the Wu clan.

Reference: 伍姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Classical Record

The Xuannü Bingfa records Wu Xu as a minister of the Yellow Emperor whose descendants took his name as their surname; Wu Xu is regarded as the founding ancestor of the Wu surname.

Reference: 伍姓起源历史_伍姓氏族谱郡望堂号_中华百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The Wu surname’s commanderies include Anding and Wuling. Its hall names include Xiaoyou, Dunmu, Wuben, Enyuan, Anding, Zhaoji, Tunqu, and Shude Hall.

Reference: 伍姓起源历史_伍姓氏族谱郡望堂号_中华百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Before the Qin dynasty, the Wu surname was concentrated around Hubei. During the Qin and Han periods it entered the Central Plains and moved south into Hunan, forming the Wuling Wu lineage. From the Tang and Song periods onward it expanded into Sichuan-Guizhou, Fujian, and Zhejiang, and by the Ming and Qing periods it was present throughout southern China.

Reference: 伍姓起源分布与家谱家族

Notable People

Historical Figures

Wu Yuan was a native of Chu in the Spring and Autumn period who later served Wu, helped Wu destroy Chu, and became a senior Wu official. Wu Tingfang was a legal scholar of the late Qing and early Republican period and served as Minister of Justice in the early Republic.

Reference: 伍姓起源历史_伍姓氏族谱郡望堂号_中华百家姓