The Wu Clan#

Surname: Wu, pronounced as “wǔ”

Distribution of the Wu Clan#

• Anding Commandery: Established by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, with its administrative center at Gaoping (now in Guyuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region). Its territory corresponded to the present-day Pingliang area of Gansu Province and the western part of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
• Wuling Commandery: Established by Emperor Gao of the Han Dynasty, with its administrative center at Yiling, located south of Xupu County in present-day Hunan Province. Its territory included parts of southwestern Hubei, western Hunan, as well as parts of Guizhou and Guangxi. Later, the administrative center was moved to Linyuan (now west of Changde).

Origins of the Wu Clan#

The Wu Clan is a relatively common surname with a wide distribution, accounting for approximately 0.11% of the Han population in China, ranking 121st in prevalence.

Origins of the Surname “Wu”:

There are two theories regarding the origin of the surname “Wu”:

1. Deriving from the Mi Clan: This theory suggests that the Wu surname originated from Wu Xu, a minister during the reign of the Yellow Emperor. According to the “Xuan Nu Bing Fa” (Mystic Maiden’s Art of War), Wu Xu was a prominent minister who adopted his own name as his surname. His descendants continued this tradition, forming the Wu Clan. Wu Xu is considered the progenitor of the influential Wu family in the state of Chu. During the Spring and Autumn period, Chu Zhuangwang had a favorite minister named Wu Can, who was a descendant of Wu Xu.
2. Within the Hui Ethnic Group: Another theory suggests that the Wu surname also exists within the Hui ethnic group.

Progenitor of the Surname:
Wu Xu is widely regarded as the progenitor of the Wu Clan. Many scholars believe that the Wu surname originated from Wu Can of the state of Chu during the late Spring and Autumn period. For example, the book “Xing Zuan” states: “Chu’s minister Wu Can gave birth to Wu Ju; Wu Ju gave birth to Wu She; Wu She gave birth to Wu Shang and Wu Yuan. Wu Yuan, also known as Wu Xu, fled to the state of Wu, and his descendants later adopted the surname Wangsun (Prince).” However, another book, “Xing Shi Kao Lue,” traces the origin of the Wu surname back to the much earlier era of the Yellow Emperor. According to this view, the Wu surname existed as early as 5,000 years ago. Although there is a lack of evidence to confirm whether the Wu family in the state of Chu truly descended from this minister of the Yellow Emperor, it is not entirely impossible. Regardless of the exact origin, the Wu Clan has a long history.

Migration and Distribution:
The Wu Clan is not among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. With its ancient origins, the Wu Clan is believed to have thrived since ancient times. According to legend, Wu Xu, a minister of the Yellow Emperor, played a significant role in the development of the clan. During the Spring and Autumn period, a minister named Wu Can from the state of Chu adopted the “Wu” character from his name as his surname. This branch of the Wu Clan became prominent in the state of Chu and later spread across various regions. The Wu Clan also developed into an influential family in the state of Liang.

Notable Figures with the Surname “Wu”:

• Wu Fu: A native of Linchuan during the Ming Dynasty, he was a scholar and held various government positions. His works include “Xian Ning Ning Zhi,” “Shan Xi Tong Zhi,” “Ping Ye Zuan Wen,” “San Wu Shui Li Lun,” “Nan Shan Ju Shi Ji,” and “Yun Feng Qing Shang Ji.”
• Wu Ting Fang: (1842–1922), from Xinhui, Guangdong Province, was a pioneer of Chinese journalism, founding the “Zhong Wa Xin Bao” newspaper. He studied law in England and contributed to the development of China’s legal system. During the Wuchang Uprising, he advocated for the abdication of the Qing emperor and later served as the Minister of Justice and Acting Prime Minister. He died of grief after the uprising failed.

Hall Names (Tang Hao):
Common hall names for the Wu Clan include “Xiao You Tang” (Honor for Parents and Brothers), “Mun Mu Tang” (Harmony and Fraternity), “Wu Ben Tang” (Focusing on Foundations), “En Yuan Tang” (Gratitude and Kindness), “An Ding Tang” (Stability), “Zhao Ji Tang” (Establishing the Foundation), “Shu De Tang” (Cultivating Virtue), and others.

The Wu Clan has a rich history and a wide distribution, with a significant presence in provinces such as Hubei, Hunan, and Guangdong, accounting for approximately 0.11% of the Han population in China.