Surname Overview
Overview
The surname is written 须 in simplified Chinese and 須 in traditional Chinese, pronounced xū, and is relatively rare today.
Xu Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 107Xu / Hsü
Origins
Three Main Lineages
Three main lineages are given: descendants of the Feng-surnamed state of Xuju shortened Xuju to Xu; descendants of the Ji-surnamed state of Mixu adopted Xu; and descendants of the Spring and Autumn state of Xu near present-day Huaxian, Henan, took the state's name as their surname.
Historical Records
Early Records of Mixu
Early references connected with the state of Mixu include “the following year, [he] attacked Mixu” in the Basic Annals of Zhou in the Shiji, and the annotation to Zuo Zhuan, Duke Zhao, Year 15, identifying Mixu as a Ji-surnamed state in Yinmi County of Anding Commandery.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Hall Names
The surname's associated commanderies are Langya and Bohai. Its hall names include Langya Hall, Bohai Hall, and Luliang Hall; the last derives from Xu Wu's Han-era enfeoffment as Marquis of Luliang, inherited for four generations.
Migration and Distribution
Modern Distribution
Xu families are found in Zhucheng, Linyi, Jiaonan, and Dongping in Shandong; Wuxi, Changzhou, Changshu, and Jiangyin in Jiangsu; and Baoshan, Putuo, and Minhang in Shanghai.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Xu Jia served as a senior grand master of Wei during the Warring States period. Xu Wu was an early Han official who was enfeoffed as Marquis of Luliang for service at Xingyang, with the title continuing for four generations.
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Surname attestation references
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