The Fu Clan#

Clan Name: Fu, pronounced as “fú”

Distribution of the Fu Clan#

• Jingzhao Commandery: According to the “Junwang Baijiaxing” (Records of Clan Names from Various Commanderies), the Fu clan originated from Jingzhao Commandery, which was established during the Wei Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms period and was under the direct jurisdiction of the capital. This region corresponds to the area from present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, to Huaxian.
• Henan Commandery: According to the “Xingshì Kǎolüè” (A Brief Study of Clan Names), the Fu clan also originated from Henan Commandery, which was established by Emperor Gaozu of Han and is located in the vicinity of present-day Luoyang, Henan Province.

Origin of the Fu Clan#

The origin of the Fu clan can be traced to three main sources:

1. Ancient Times: During the reign of Yu the Great, who founded the Xia Dynasty, one of his ministers was named Fudeng. The descendants of Fudeng adopted the surname “Fu,” marking the earliest origin of the clan. Many prominent clans of the Fu clan came from Henan during ancient times.
2. Transformation from a Compound Surname: The Fu clan may have also resulted from the transformation of a compound surname, specifically the “Qifu” surname.
3. Descendants of Wu Jia: A scholar from the Han Dynasty named Wu Jia was granted the surname “Fu” for his contributions to supporting the Han dynasty. Wu Jia’s mother encountered a dragon by the Tangxi River, which led to her pregnancy and the birth of Wu Jia. Wu Jia was known for his ability to predict the future and was highly favored by Emperor Gaozu of Han, who appointed him as the Minister of Justice (Tingwei). His descendants then adopted the surname “Fu.”

Ancestor of the Clan Fudeng is commonly considered the ancestor of the Fu clan. During the reign of Yu the Great, Fudeng was a prominent minister who played a significant role in establishing the Xia Dynasty.

Migration and Spread The Fu clan does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in either mainland China or Taiwan. The clan has a long history, dating back more than 4,000 years, originating from the minister Fudeng of the Xia Dynasty. Another branch of the Fu clan emerged during the early Western Han Dynasty when Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty, granted the surname “Fu” to Wu Jia for his services. There are also prominent clans of the Fu clan in Jingzhao Commandery (around present-day Chang’an, Shaanxi Province).

Clan Hall Inscriptions

• Four-Character Inscriptions for the Fu Clan Hall:
  • “Originating from Jingzhao; The surname began with Fudeng.” (This refers to the clan’s origins in Jingzhao Commandery and the lineage of Fudeng.)
  • “Embracing profound knowledge of morality; Providing support to the Han dynasty.” (This acknowledges the clan’s contributions to Han culture and morality.)
  • “Granted the surname for meritorious service to the Han dynasty; Overcoming obstacles to bring peace to the people.” (This celebrates the clan’s role in supporting the Han dynasty and bringing peace to the people.)
  • “The mother of Wu Jia, a Minister of Justice from the Han dynasty, encountered a dragon by the Tangxi River, giving birth to Wu Jia, who was a renowned prophet.” (This recounts the legendary birth of Wu Jia and his contributions to the Han dynasty.)

These inscriptions highlight the clan’s history, origins, and contributions to Chinese culture and society.