Yue Surname

Surname Overview

Pronunciation and Overview

The surname 越 is pronounced Yuè. It is relatively rare today and ranks 366th in the Hundred Family Surnames.

Reference: 越_越姓氏起源来源_越姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:越

Origins

Descent from the Si-surnamed State of Yue

One lineage derives from the Si clan: Shaokang enfeoffed his younger son Wuyu at Kuaiji to oversee sacrifices to Yu, and Wuyu's descendants founded the state of Yue. After its fall, descendants of its kings adopted Yue, the state name, as their surname.

Reference: 越(yuè)姓-族谱网

Northern Wei Name Changes and Textual Variants

Another lineage is associated with Northern Wei compound surnames being changed to Yue. The received text of the Book of Wei records Yuele changing to Yue, while forms such as Yuejiang, Yuezhi, and Yuezhijie occur in later quotations or other records and represent textual variants.

Reference: 越_越姓氏起源来源_越姓氏名人查询_姓氏大全:越

Historical Records

Early Attestation

The earliest recorded occurrence of the Yue surname is attributed to the Zhou-era Shiben. The surname is also included in the clan-name sections of Zheng Tongzhi and Xu Tongzhi under the entering-tone category.

Reference: 越(yuè)姓-族谱网

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Jinyang Commandery and Shenzhi Hall

The principal ancestral commandery of the Yue surname is Jinyang, in the area of modern Taiyuan, Shanxi. Its principal hall name is Shenzhi Hall, associated with the Qi worthy Yue Shifu, who, after being redeemed from prison by Yan Ying, asked to be treated with the courtesy due to one whose worth was truly recognized.

Reference: 越(yuè)姓-族谱网

Migration and Distribution

Early Ming Migration and Late Qing Distribution

In the early Ming period, Yue ancestors from Pingyang Prefecture, Hongdong County, Zhaocheng County, and other places were ordered to assemble at the Great Pagoda Tree of Hongdong before migrating elsewhere. By the late Qing, their descendants were distributed across Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Beijing, Shanxi, and other areas.

Reference: 越(yuè)姓-族谱网