Tu Family#

Surname: Tu (pronounced: tú)

Distribution of the Tu Family#

Yuzhang Commandery: Also known as Nanchang Prefecture or Nanchang Commandery. Originally part of Hongzhou during the Spring and Autumn Period, it was established as Jiujiang Commandery by the Qin State during the Warring States period. Yuzhang Commandery was founded during the Chu-Han transition, with its administrative center in Yuzhang (present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi). At that time, its jurisdiction included the areas of present-day Nanchang City, as well as eighteen counties and two marquisates in the Jinjiang River basin, Nanchang, Qingjiang, Jiujiang, Liling, Pengze, Chaishang, and other regions in northern Jiangxi. During the Sui Dynasty, it became the administrative center of Hongzhou. After the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed Yuzhang-Hongzhou, later changed to Zhongling County, and then back to Nanchang. During the Five Dynasties period (including the Southern Tang Dynasty), as well as the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was the administrative center of Nanchang Prefecture. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was also the administrative center of Hongdu Prefecture, with its jurisdiction encompassing the entire area of present-day Nanchang City.

Nanchang Commandery: Corresponds to present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi.

Yihuang Commandery: Corresponds to present-day Yihuang County, Jiangxi.

Origins of the Tu Family#

The Tu surname has several origins:

1. From the Zi family: After the "Three Families' Coup Against the Zi Family," the Zi clan was defeated, and its leader, Zi Bo, was killed. Zhao, Han, and Wei divisions of the state seized the Zi family's lands and assets, leading to unprecedented disaster for the clan. Zi Xuwu (the sixth-generation ancestor and brother of Zi Shen), a high-ranking official of the Jin State, adopted the place name "Tu" as his surname, allowing the clan to survive and continue to this day. This also set a precedent for using place names as surnames in Chinese history.
2. From place names: Derived from the ancient Hongzhou region during the Han Dynasty, where the surname was based on the name of a local area.
3. From the Tushan clan: Originating from Tushan, the wife of Yu the Great of the Xia Dynasty, this surname resulted from the abbreviation of a compound surname.
4. From the Hui ethnic group: The surname was adopted after Hanization of the Hui culture.
5. From the Ewenki ethnic group: The surname was adopted after Hanization of the Ewenki culture.
6. From the Xibe ethnic group: The surname was adopted after Hanization of the Xibe culture.
7. From other ethnic minorities: The surname was adopted after Hanization of these ethnic groups.

Founding Ancestor of the Tu Family

Tu Qin, with the courtesy names Jingzu and Wensi, and the literary name Shilu, was born in 246 AD (the 11th year of the Yanxi era of Emperor Liu Shan of the Shu Han Dynasty) in Shouchun, Huainan, Anhui (present-day Shouxian County), and died in 337 AD (the 3rd year of the Xiankang era of Emperor Sima Yan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty) at the age of 91. He was posthumously awarded the title "Zhongwu" (Loyal and martial). He is buried in Tufang Village, Xiushi Town, Fengcheng City, Jiangxi Province, in an area formerly known as the 32nd district of Naxiang, Fengcheng County, now called "Houmugang."

Hall Names

• Yuzhang Hall: Named after the historical region of Yuzhang.
• Nanchang Hall: Named after the historical region of Nanchang.
• Yihuang Hall: Named after the historical region of Yihuang.
• Wuguai Hall: Founded by Tu A, a prince who served as the governor of Huangzhou during the Song Dynasty and was later granted the title of Cenyi Daifu (Imperial Advisor). Tu Ji, his son, was a court official during the Song Dynasty. Tu Ji's five sons all became successful officials, earning the nickname "Wuguai" (Five Laureates). Therefore, the Tu family hall is also called "Wuguai Hall," and the family's motto is "Ten generations of prominence, the Wuguai family tradition."

Notable Figures with the Tu Surname

• Tu Meng: A Confucian scholar from Yihuang, Fujian. He failed the imperial examinations three times but later served as a school principal. He was well-versed in the study of the I Ching and is revered for his works such as "Sishu Duanyi" and "Yi Yi Jinshi."
• Tu Tianshang: A Qing dynasty official (dates of birth and death unknown). Known for his filial piety, he authored works such as "Muer Bian" and "Jingyong Tang Wen Ji."