Surname Overview
Present-day Distribution
The Xiahou surname is now mainly found in Jiangxi, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu, with scattered distribution in other provinces and overseas.
Xiahou Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 214Xiahou / Hsia-hou
Origins
Origin of the Surname
The Xiahou surname is described as descending from Yu the Great. After King Wu of Zhou overthrew Shang, Yu's descendants were enfeoffed in Qi; after Qi was conquered by Chu, Yu's descendant Tuo fled to Lu and was enfeoffed as a marquis, after which the surname Xiahou was adopted.
Historical Records
Early Rise
The Xiahou surname became known during the Western Han through Xiahou Ying; after Liu Bang established the Han dynasty, he appointed Xiahou Ying as Grand Servant.
Notable People
Three Kingdoms Figures
During the Three Kingdoms period, members of the Xiahou family including Xiahou Xuan, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan played important roles in the Cao Wei regime.
Research Notes
Later Changes
After the fall of Cao Wei, the Xiahou family faced suppression and purges. Some descendants changed their surname to “Xia” or “Hou” to avoid persecution, while only a small number retained Xiahou.
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