The Zhuo Family Name#

Family Name: Zhuo, Pronunciation: Zhuó

Regions where the Zhuo Family Name is Found#

• Nanyang Commandery: Established by the Qin State during the Warring States period. Its administrative center was in Wan County, located in present-day Nanyang City, Henan Province.
• Xihe Commandery: Initially established by the Wei State during the Warring States period. Its administrative center was in present-day Fenyang County, Shanxi Province. This region corresponds to the area along the Yellow River between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces.

Origin of the Zhuo Family Name#

The Zhuo family name originates from the Mi lineage and is a descendant of the royal family of the Chu State during the Spring and Autumn period. One of the sons of King Wei of Chu was named Gongzi Zhuo, and his descendants adopted the character “Zhuo” as their surname. According to historical records, the Zhuo family trace their roots back to the Chu State over 2,800 years ago. The “Strategies of the Warring States” also mentions that the Zhuo family descended from Zhuo Hua, a prominent official of the Chu State. Additionally, the “Research on Family Names” indicates that the Zhuo family had their ancestral home in Xihe (present-day Yangcheng, Shanxi Province).

Migration and Distribution

Before the Zhuo family name was among the top 100 most common family names in China, it ranked 65th on the list in Taiwan. The Zhuo family originated during the Spring and Autumn period. A member of the Chu royal family named Gongzi Zhuo gave his surname to his descendants, who thus became the Zhuo clan. The Zhuo family expanded rapidly, particularly during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The “Chongzheng Tongren Genealogy” states: “During the chaos caused by the Jin Wu Hu rebellion, many prominent families in the Central Plains fled south. Zhuo Wei, who served as the governor of Jian'an, later settled in Guangdong, providing strong evidence of this migration.” Common hall names of the Zhuo family include “Baode Hall” (Hall of Praise for Virtue).

Common Couplets for Zhuo Family Ancestral Temples

Four-Character Couplets for Zhuo Family Ancestral Temples#

• “The surname originates from the royal lineage of Chu; its ancestral home is Xihe.” (Alluding to the family's roots and historical origins.)
• “A wealthy family from Linqiong; honored in the Han dynasty.” (Referencing Zhuo Wengsun from Linqiong and Zhuo Mao from Wan, both notable figures in their times.)
• “Zhao Jing from the Eastern Han dynasty was highly respected; his teachings greatly influenced society.” (Zhao Mao was a learned and virtuous official.)

Seven-Character Couplets for Zhuo Family Ancestral Temples#

• “Zhao Jing, a brilliant scholar from the Eastern Han, served as the Grand Tutor and was honored with the title of Marquis of Baode.”
• “Zhuo Cong, a scholar from the Song dynasty, left a legacy of wisdom and kindness.”
• “The Zhuo family's reputation for virtue has endured through the ages.”

These couplets celebrate the heritage and contributions of the Zhuo family throughout Chinese history.