Yu Surname

Surname Overview

Yu is a currently rare surname used by the Han Chinese.‌

Reference: 遇姓_遇姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Two origins are recorded for the Yu surname: one traces it to descendants of the Yellow Emperor's son from the Ren lineage, who took the surname from the fief of Yu; the other traces it to the Dangxiang people of the ancient Qiang.‌

Reference: 遇姓_遇姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Yu surname is included in the Clan Records of the Zheng Tongzhi and Xu Tongzhi; related records also appear in the Xingshi Kaolue quoting the Xingpu and in the Zuo Zhuan.‌

Reference: 遇姓_遇姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery Prestige

The Yu clan's commandery prestige was Dongguan Commandery, established during the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin and located approximately in the area of present-day Ju County, Shandong.‌

Reference: 遇姓_遇姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Shandong is identified as the birthplace of the Yu surname. Longkou is the area with the highest concentration of Yu surname residents in the Yantai region, and the ancestors of the Yu families in Shanhou Yujia Village can be traced to migration from Guandao Dingjia during the Zhengtong era of the Ming dynasty. The surname is also distributed in Ningdu, Jiangxi; Qingyuan, Liaoning; Beijing; Tianjin; Huainan, Anhui; and Taiwan.‌

Reference: 遇姓_遇姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Yu Zhong was the governor of Henei during the Han dynasty; Yu Luoke was a hero who sacrificed his life for upholding truth during the Cultural Revolution.‌

Reference: 遇姓_遇姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Research Notes

Orthographic Confusion

Because the Yu surname is very rare, it is often mistakenly written as “Yu,” “Yu,” or “Yu” in other Chinese characters; some household registrations have also recorded it as “迂.”‌

Reference: 遇姓_遇姓的来源和历史_百家姓