The Pu Clan#

Surname: Pu, pronounced as “pǔ”

Distribution of the Pu Clan#

Jingzhao Commandery: According to the book “Junwang Baijiaxing” (The Surnames of the Hundred Families from Jingzhao Commandery), the Pu clan originated from Jingzhao Commandery, which was the direct jurisdiction of the capital Chang’an, located in the area between present-day Xi’an and Huaxian in Shaanxi Province.

Guangping Hall: During the Three Kingdoms period, Pu Renyu wrote the “Guangping Jizhang” (Records of Guangping Hall), which covers 15 commanderies.

Origins of the Pu Clan#

1. Derived from the Ji surname: The Pu clan originated from the fiefdom of a descendant of Emperor Shun during the Xia Dynasty. This tradition of using the name of the fiefdom as a surname dates back to ancient times. It is said that a descendant of Emperor Shun was granted the fiefdom of Puban (now Puzhou, Yongji, Shanxi), named after the abundant growth of reeds in that area. Some of his descendants adopted the name of the fiefdom as their surname. Later, some changed their surname to “Pu” to avoid using a certain character element in their names, and this has been passed down through generations. This is one of the oldest surnames in China.

2. Derived from the Jiang surname: The Pu clan also originated from descendants of Jiang Taigong, the founder of the Qi state during the Western and Eastern Zhou dynasties. Jiang Taigong assisted King Wu of Zhou in defeating King Zhou of Shang and was granted the territory of Qi. During the Spring and Autumn period, a branch of the Qi royal family moved to the state of Jin, where they became officials and were granted the fiefdom of Puyang (now Puxian, Shanxi), hence the surname “Pu”.

3. Derived from the Ji surname: Another origin of the Pu clan comes from descendants of Gao Tao, a descendant of the Shaohao lineage. They adopted the name of the fiefdom as their surname.

4. Derived from the Ying surname: During the Eastern Jin dynasty, a chieftain of the Qiang and Xirong tribes named Fu Hong adopted the name of the fiefdom as their surname.

5. Derived from the Baekje tribe: During the Tang dynasty, the Pu clan originated from the Baekje kingdom on the Korean Peninsula.

6. Derived from the Hui ethnicity: Some Hui people adopted the surname “Pu” during the Ming dynasty. According to the writings of Song Gang, a literati from the early Ming period, the Hui Pu clan changed their surname to escape certain cultural taboos.

7. Derived from the Manchu ethnicity: The Manchu Pu clan originated from a branch of the Aisin Gioro family. During the Qing dynasty, some Manchu people were granted the surname “Pu” after adopting Han customs.

8. Derived from the Ji surname: Another origin of the Pu clan comes from descendants of Gao Tao, a descendant of the Shaohao lineage.

9. Derived from the Ying surname: During the Eastern Jin dynasty, a chieftain named Fu Hong of the Qiang and Xirong tribes adopted the name of the plant “pu” as their surname.

10. Derived from the Baiji tribe: During the Tang dynasty, the Pu clan also originated from the Baekje kingdom on the Korean Peninsula.

11. Derived from the Han ethnicity: Some Han people changed their surname to “Pu” during the Ming dynasty.

Migration and Distribution: The prestigious families of the Pu clan lived in Jingzhao (the area around present-day Chang’an, Shaanxi). The total number of Pu clan members in mainland China and Taiwan does not rank among the top 300 surnames. In the Song dynasty version of the “Baijiaxing” (The Surnames of the Hundred Families), the Pu clan was ranked 380th. The Pu clan originated in Shandong, with its founding ancestor being Jiang Shang (Jiang Taigong). According to historical records, the Pu clan was originally from Hongzhou and took the name of the local water source as their surname. Other records suggest that the Pu clan originated from the Pushan family.

The Pu clan has a long and complex history, with various origins related to different regions and dynasties in China.