The Fu Clan#

Clan Name: Fu, pronounced as fú

Distribution of the Fu Clan#

• Taiyuan Prefecture: Also known as Taiyuan Commandery. It was established during the Warring States period in the fourth year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin (246 BC), with its administrative center in Jinyang (present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi). At that time, its jurisdiction covered the areas around Wutai Mountain and Guancen Mountain in Shanxi Province, as well as the northern part of Huo Mountain.
• Gaoyang Commandery: Originally a district during the Warring States period, it was elevated to a commandery during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty (147–167 AD), with its administrative center in Gaoyang (present-day Gaoyang, Hebei). Its jurisdiction included the area around Gaoyang County in Hebei Province.
• Pingchang Commandery: Also known as Dunqiu Commandery. According to the Song Shu·Zhou Jun Zhi, “Dunqiu belonged to Dong Commandery during the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties and Yangping during the Wei Dynasty. In the second year of Emperor Wu of Jin’s Taiyi reign (266 AD), Dunqiu Commandery was established from Huaiyang, and its subordinate counties were included.” Its jurisdiction included present-day Qingfeng County in Henan Province.
• Anqiu County: Established during the Han Dynasty, its jurisdiction was located in the southwestern part of present-day Anqiu County, Shanxi Province.

Origins of the Fu Clan#

The Fu clan has various origins:

1. Derived from the Feng clan, descending from the descendants of Fuxi during the ancient times of Taihao. This origin is based on taking the name of a legendary ancestor as the clan name.
2. Resulting from name changes, such as the famous figure Hou Zhi during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, who was granted a new surname by an emperor.
3. Originating from the Xianbei tribe, specifically the Qifu branch of the Tuoba clan during the Han Dynasty, with the clan name coming from the name of the tribe.
4. Also derived from the Feng clan, related to Fubuqi from the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period, where the name was taken from the ancestor's name.
5. Originating from the Xiqiang tribe, specifically the Fuhoulong clan during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, which adopted a Han-style surname after assimilation.
6. Originating from the Xiongnu tribe, related to Achiluo, the king of the Azhiluo state during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, who also adopted a Han-style surname after assimilation.

Ancestral Figures of the Clan

• Fuxi and Fubuqi (also known as Mibuqi or Mizijian), also known as Taihao, were from Tianshui, Gansu Province. A temple dedicated to Fuxi can be found in Tianshui, attracting many pilgrims. Fuxi led various tribes downstream along the Yellow River to Huaiyang, Henan. He is revered for his wisdom and teachings, such as teaching people how to fish, hunt, and raise livestock. He is credited with creating the Eight Trigrams and compiling the Book of Documents, and established his capital in Wanchou (present-day Huaiyang County, Henan).
• Fuxing, a scholar from the Qin Dynasty, concealed ancient classics in a wall to protect them from the book burning ordered by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, he helped to restore and transmit these texts.

Migration and Distribution

The Fu clan has a multi-ethnic and multi-source background. However, its population rank does not fall within the top 300 largest clans in mainland China or Taiwan Province. In the Song Dynasty’s list of “Hundred Family Surnames,” it was ranked 114th.

According to Jun Wang Bai Xing Jia, the clan's origin is traced back to Jingzhao Commandery. Yuan He Xing Zuan also mentions Taiyuan, Gaoyang, and Pingchang as sources of the clan. In ancient times, a great tribal leader named Fuxi is said to have created the Eight Trigrams. Fuxi is also associated with the legend of mating with Nüwa, resulting in the birth of many descendants. Fuxi’s era was slightly later than that of the Yan and Huang Emperors. He is considered the founder of the clan.

Hall Names (Tang Hao)

• Taiyuan Tang: Named after the ancestral region of Taiyuan.
• Gaoyang Tang: Named after the ancestral region of Gaoyang.
• Pingchang Tang: Named after the ancestral region of Pingchang.
• Ming Qin Tang: Named after Fubuqi, a disciple of Confucius who governed a region with music and wisdom.
• Cang Shou Tang: Fuxing hid the Book of Documents in a wall during the book burning; after the Han Dynasty, he taught and compiled it.

Genealogical Patterns

The genealogical patterns of the Fu clan vary across different regions. For example, the Linshu Fu clan in Shandong follows the phrase “Jing Bing Zai Qing Xiang Kai Guang Sheng Chuan,” while the Huangmei Fu clan in Hubei follows “Chang Wei Yong Zheng Jing Shou Tang Zhang.”

Notable Figures with the Fu Surname

• Fuxing: A scholar from the Han Dynasty who hid ancient texts and helped restore them after the book burning.
• Fusheng: A scholar from the Han Dynasty who compiled the Book of Documents and was highly respected.
• Fugong: A minister during the Eastern Han Dynasty known for his integrity and benevolence.
• Fuwuji: A scholar from the Eastern Han Dynasty who contributed to the compilation of ancient texts.

Conclusion

The Fu clan has a long and complex history, with