The Mu Family Name#

Surname: Mu, pronounced as “mù”.

Distribution of the Mu Family Name#

Wuxing Commandery: Established during the Three Kingdoms period, it corresponds to the area from Lin'an in Zhejiang Province to Yixing in Jiangsu Province today. Its administrative center was Wucheng, which is now part of Wuxian County in Zhejiang Province.

Origin of the Mu Family Name#

The Mu family name has two origins:

1. It originates from the Murong clan, which in turn descended from the Gaoxin clan and was a descendant of Emperor Ku. The Murong clan adopted this name to distance themselves from the central plains and promote traditional culture, embodying the virtues of heaven and earth (the “Two Principles”) and following the example of the sun, moon, and stars (the “Three Lights”). Over time, in some regions, the Murong name was simplified to Mu.
2. Another origin is associated with the Mu family in Kaifeng, Henan, during the Song Dynasty.

Migration and Distribution

The Mu family name does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It originates from the Xianbei tribe. A branch of the descendants of the Yellow Emperor established the Xianbei state in the north, and some members of the noble family there adopted the name Mu Rong. This name was later simplified to just Mu. In ancient times, many prominent Mu families were from Wuxing (the area from Lin'an in Zhejiang to Yixing in Jiangsu). As society developed, the Mu family became more widely distributed, with members living in both the central plains and the south of the Yangtze River. The distribution of the Mu family name is not entirely known; for example, there is a significant Mu family in the Pingliang and Qingyang areas of eastern Gansu, with thousands of members, making it a prominent clan. Their descendants can be found throughout China, Taiwan, and even overseas countries like the United States and Singapore.

Common Couplets for the Mu Family Ancestral Hall#

• Originating from Emperor Ku; Prominent in Wuxing. (Written by an anonymous author) This couplet refers to the origins of the Mu family name and its historical prominence in Wuxing (as mentioned in “I. Origin of the Surname” and “IV. Historical Prestige of the Clan.”
• Uphold Justice Fairly; Prosecute Strictly and Firmly. (Written by an anonymous author) The upper couplet honors Mu Wan of the Yuan Dynasty, who was intelligent and ambitious, serving as an imperial censor and deputy minister of justice, known for his fair treatment of cases. The lower couplet refers to Mu Rong of the Ming Dynasty, a censor who fearlessly prosecuted the powerful and was highly respected for his integrity.

Other Couplets for the Mu Family Ancestral Hall#

• The Qing Dynasty greatly praised the Grand Censor of Water Transport; The Yuan Dynasty honored the Duke of Wei. (Written by an anonymous author) Mu Tianyan of the Qing Dynasty was a capable official in charge of water transport, while Mu Wan of the Yuan Dynasty was a deputy minister of justice who was respected for his fairness and integrity.
• Clear weather brings beauty to all things; A kind and harmonious demeanor makes everyone close. (Written by an anonymous author) This couplet uses the character “Tianyan” (from Mu Tianyan’s name) in a unique poetic arrangement.

Notable People with the Mu Family Name#

• Mu Shimeng: A general of the Tang Dynasty’s Bohai Kingdom.
• Mu Changgui: A general of the Tang Dynasty’s Bohai Kingdom.
• Mu Kang: A high-ranking official of the Song Dynasty.
• Mu Wan: A native of Xinxiang during the Yuan Dynasty who served as a deputy minister of justice, known for his fairness and was granted the title of Duke of Wei.
• Mu Tianyan: A scholar of the Qing Dynasty who dedicated himself to water management and served as the governor of Jiangsu, improving local waterways and alleviating the burden on farmers.