The Shu Family#

Family Name: Shu (束)#

Pronunciation: shù

Distribution of the Shu Family#

• Henan Commandery: Established during the Han Dynasty, its administrative center was located in present-day Luoyang, Henan Province.
• Nanyang Commandery: Set up in the 35th year of King Zhao of Qin (272 BCE) to conquer territories from the Chu state; its administrative center was in Wan County (present-day Nanyang, Henan Province). The jurisdiction of Nanyang Commandery during the Han Dynasty encompassed most of the area between Ye County and Neixiang to the south of Xionger Mountain in Henan Province, and between Yingshan and Yun County to the north of the Dahuang Mountains in Hubei Province. It was abolished in the 3rd year of the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang era (583 CE) and reinstated in the 3rd year of the Daye era (607 CE). It was abolished again at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty and later renamed Nanyang Commandery during the Tianbao to De era.

Origin of the Shu Family Name#

The Shu family name has a pure lineage, originating from the Gui family, which was later changed. According to the "Book of Jin: Biography of Shu Xi," during the Warring States period, there was a clan in the State of Qi with the surname Xi (an alternative form of the ancient character for "sparse"). During the Han Dynasty, there was a man named Xi Guang who served as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Xi Guang was from Lanning, Donghai (southeast of present-day Zaozhuang, Shandong Province). When Xi Guang's great-grandson, Meng Da, fled from the chaos caused by Wang Mang, he moved to Shalu Mountain (within present-day Daming County, Hebei Province). There, he changed his surname from Xi to Shu, and this tradition has been passed down through generations.

Founder of the Shu Family Name#

The founder of the Shu family name is Xi Guang. According to the "Book of Jin: Biography of Shu Xi," Xi Guang was a nobleman of the Western Han Dynasty. At the end of Wang Mang's reign, Meng Da, dissatisfied with Wang Mang's usurpation of power, fled to Shalu Mountain. This is how the Shu surname came into existence. The Shu family's prominent heritage is associated with Nanyang Commandery (present-day Nanyang County, Henan Province), and Xi Guang is revered as the progenitor of the Shu family.

Common Hall Names for the Shu Family#

Common hall names for the Shu family include "Henan Hall," "Nanyang Hall," and "Bujing Hall."

Migration and Distribution#

The Shu family name does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. It originated during the Warring States period and was originally a royal surname, derived from the Xi clan of the State of Qi. During the Western Han Dynasty, the scholar Xi Guang played a significant role in preserving ancient texts. The Shu family name has primarily settled in areas such as Zhenjiang and Sheyang in Jiangsu Province, with smaller populations in Muyang and Jiangyin.

Famous People with the Shu Surname#

• Shu Xi: A philosopher of the Jin Dynasty who studied the Four Books and Five Classics and was appointed as a court official.
• Shu Qing: A good official of the Ming Dynasty who was known for his integrity and generosity, even selling his own belongings to pay for rent when necessary.

Family Ancestral Hall Couplets#

• Couplet for the Shu Family Ancestral Hall:
  • "Water barriers extinguish fires; frugality replaces rent." (Li Wenzheng) This couplet references Shu Zhuang of the Song Dynasty, who organized the construction of water channels and fire prevention measures to prevent fires while serving as the governor of Wanzhou.
  • "The land is free from fire; the people praise his longevity." (Anonymous) This couplet remembers Shu Xi of the Jin Dynasty, who prayed for rain and was praised by the people for his kindness.
  • "Preserving the classics brings benefits to society; contentment enhances the family's reputation." (Anonymous) This couplet is suitable for the "Bujing Hall" of the Shu family.

Additional Quotes about the Shu Family#

• "The extensive knowledge of the scholar Xi Guang spread far and wide; the county official Shu Qing was highly esteemed." (Anonymous) This couplet highlights the contributions of the Shu family throughout history.

The Shu family has a rich cultural heritage and a long history, with notable figures from both the Jin and Ming dynasties. Their contributions to literature, governance, and community welfare have left a lasting impact.