You Clan#

Clan Name: You (Yóu), Pronunciation: yóu

Distribution of the You Clan#

• Guangping Commandery: Established during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han. This corresponds to the area around present-day Yongnian County in southern Hebei Province.
• Fengyi Commandery: Initially named Zuo Fengyi during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han and was one of the "Three Auxiliaries." It was renamed Fengyi Commandery during the Wei Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms period. This area is roughly equivalent to present-day Dali County in Shaanxi Province.

Origin of the You Clan#

The origin of the "You" clan name is straightforward. One theory suggests that it stems from the Ji surname, with the clan name being derived from the courtesy name of an ancestor. During the Spring and Autumn period, Ji You, a son of King Li of Zhou, was granted the state of Zheng by his brother, King Xuan of Zhou. Ji You’s grandson, You Gui, adopted his grandfather's courtesy name as his own, and from then on, the family has been known by the name You.

Ancestor of the Clan Name

According to the book "Yuanhe Xingzuan," the You clan originated from the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period and is a descendant of Gongzi Yan, a son of Duke Mu of Zheng. Since Gongzi Yan’s courtesy name was "Ziyou," his descendants adopted this name as their own. The state of Zheng was passed down from Ji You, a descendant of King Xuan of Zhou. Ancient Zheng was located in the central part of present-day Henan Province, south of the Yellow River, with its capital in Xinzheng. Therefore, Gongzi Yan is considered the ancestor of the You clan.

Migration and Distribution

The You clan did not rank among the top 100 most common surnames on the Chinese mainland but ranks 36th in Taiwan. It originates from the Ji surname. During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Mu of Zheng had a son named Gongzi Yan, whose grandson, You Gui, adopted his grandfather’s courtesy name as his clan name. You Gui’s second son, You Ji, who was also known as Zidashu, later became a prominent statesman and further expanded the fame of the clan. During the Spring and Autumn period, there were also members of the You clan within the Jin Huanzhuang clan. Some family records indicate that the You clan changed from the Wang surname to the You surname during the Ming Dynasty. The clan has various hall names, such as Fengyi, Guangping, Lixue, and Dongxing.

Hall Names of the You Clan

• Guangping Hall: This hall name reflects the clan’s origin in the Guangping Commandery during the Spring and Autumn period (now located about 20 miles east of Jize County, Hebei Province).
• Meixiu Hall: This name honors You Ji, a man of beautiful appearance and elegant manners who served as a chancellor during the Spring and Autumn period.
• Renhe Hall: This hall name reflects the clan’s benevolent and harmonious nature, as reflected by You Minggen’s conduct as the Grand Master of Ceremonies during the Northern Wei Dynasty.
• Lixue Hall: This name is derived from the story of You Zuo and Yang Shi seeking guidance from the Confucian scholar Cheng Yi during the Song Dynasty.
• Juhui Hall: This hall name emphasizes the clan’s scholarly heritage and its spread.
• Jushun Hall: This hall name signifies the clan’s unity and prosperity.

Common Couplets for You Clan Ancestral Temples

Four-Character Couplets#

• Sound and Reality Both Flourish; Graceful and Literate. (Alluding to You Ya of the Northern Wei Dynasty, who was a kind and wise official.)
• The Hall of the Minister of Rites; Renowned for Its Prestige. (Referring to You Minggen of the Northern Wei Dynasty.)
• The Legacy of Zheng Endures Forever; The Benevolence of Jianyang Spreads Far. (Honoring the origins of the clan in the state of Zheng.)
• The Hall of Gathering Glory; Inheriting the Wisdom of the Sages. (Emphasizing the clan’s intellectual heritage.)

Seven-Character Couplets#

• The Grand Master of Ceremonies was Kind and Respectful; A Gentleman of Graceful Beauty and Learning. (Referencing You Minggen of the Northern Wei Dynasty.)
• The Legacy of Zheng Endures Forever; The Benevolence of Jianyang Spreads Far. (Honoring the origins of the clan in the state of Zheng.)
• The Nine Generations of You Clan; Their Legacy Shines Brightly. (Reflecting the clan’s spread from Fujian to other regions of China.)

Notes on the You Clan

Many members of the You clan have migrated to various places, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. On the Chinese mainland, they are found in cities and counties such as Chongqing, Ganzhou, Suichuan, Lichuan, Longnan, Dingnan, Chongyi in Jiangxi, Heyuan in Guangdong, and Zhangpu, Ninghua, and Mingxi in Fujian. In Taiwan, the You clan is particularly prevalent in counties like Taibei, Yilan, and Zhanghua.

The You clan has a rich history and cultural heritage, with many influential figures throughout Chinese history. Their migration patterns reflect their adaptation to different regions and cultures.