The Yu Clan#

Surname: Yu, pronounced as “yū”.

Regions where the Yu Clan is Distributed**#

• Liyang Commandery: Established during the Western Han Dynasty, it was renamed Liyang Commandery in the Northern Wei Dynasty. Its administrative center was located in the area northeast of Xun County, in the central part of present-day Henan Province, roughly corresponding to the location of Dunchiu Commandery during the Jin Dynasty.
• Jingzhao Commandery: This was the direct jurisdiction of the capital, Chang’an, and covered the area east of present-day Xi’an City in Shaanxi Province up to Hua County.
• Guangling Commandery: Established during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was located in the area around present-day Yangzhou City in Jiangsu Province.

Origins of the Yu Clan**#

1. The Yu surname originated from the Ji clan, stemming from Yu Ze, a minister of the Yellow Emperor. This is an example of a surname derived from the name of a ancestor.
2. It also originated from the Ji clan, but from Yu Guan, an official from the Western Zhou period. This type of surname is derived from an official title.
3. The surname may have originated from a place name; for example, from Yu Qiu in the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period. This is an example of a surname derived from the name of a settlement.
4. Another origin is related to the Gui clan, specifically from Chen Zhongzi of the State of Qi during the Warring States period. This type of surname is also derived from the name of a settlement.

Clan Halls (Tanghao):

• Jiumin Hall: During the Ming Dynasty, Yu Zhongkuan served as the magistrate of Yongxin. When the region of Nanshang was in chaos, the general leading the troops wanted to kill all the people there to claim credit for his military achievements. Yu Zhongkuan firmly opposed this. The people of Nanshang were very grateful to him, and many boys were named after Yu Zhongkuan in memory of his kindness.

Famous People with the Yu Surname**#

• Yu Qingyan: (Birth and death years unknown) From Jinling (present-day Wujin, Jiangsu). A renowned painter of the Southern Song Dynasty. He specialized in painting lotuses and insects and was highly respected in his region. During the reign of Emperor Ningzong of Song (1195–1224), he was granted the title of “He” for his artistic achievements. He authored works such as Tuhui Baojian, Biling Zhi, Huashi Huiyao, and Lihua Huashi Chuan.
• Yu Zhuwu: (Birth and death years unknown) A famous painter of the Ming Dynasty, known for his mastery of ink-wash bamboo painting. He authored Huashi Huiyao and Ming Hualu.
• Yu Lun: (Birth and death years unknown), courtesy name Dunzhi, from Huanggang. A prominent minister of the Ming Dynasty. He compiled a book titled Zhipin, which chronicles wise deeds from ancient times to the Ming Dynasty.
• Yu Lihua: (Born November 28, 1931) Originally from Zhenhai, Zhejiang, now residing in Henan Village, Beilun District. A novelist who was born in Shanghai in 1931 and moved to Taiwan with her family in 1947. She graduated from the History Department of National Taiwan University in 1953 and later went to the United States for further studies. In 1975, she returned to China with her first husband to visit relatives. Her writings were later criticized by the Kuomintang for being pro-communist, leading to a ban on her works. Her novels include Meng Hui Qinghe (Taipei: Crown, 1963), You Jian Zonglu, You Jian Zonglu, Mei Guo De Lai Xin (The Letters from America), Fu Jia De Er Nv Zai (The Children of the Fu Family), and Yan. Among them, You Jian Zonglu, You Jian Zonglu is considered her most representative work.