The Hua Clan#

Surname: Hua, pronounced as “huá”.

Distribution of the Hua Clan**#

• Xiapi Commandery: During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Linhuai Commandery was renamed Xiapi State, with its administrative center located in Xiapi, which is now in the northwest of Suining County, Jiangsu Province. This area corresponded to the northwest of Jiangsu Province during modern times.
• Jingzhao Commandery: This was the direct jurisdiction of the capital, Chang’an, and was located in the area between present-day Xi’an City and Huaxian County, Shaanxi Province.
• Anlu Commandery: Anlu Commandery was established in the first year of Emperor Xiaowu of the Southern Song Dynasty (454 AD). During the Tang Dynasty, it was reclassified as a prefecture; in the Song Dynasty, it became a prefecture again. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was known as Anlu County under the De’an Prefecture. After the Xinhai Revolution, it became part of the Jianghan Circuit.

Origin of the Hua Clan**#

The surname “Hua” originates from the Ji surname. According to the “Yingxian Zhuan,” descendants of the Duke of Zhou established the Hua clan. The “Tongzhi·Shizú Lüe·Yǐguó Wéi Shì” states that the Hua State was a small fiefdom of the same surname established during the Zhou Dynasty. The original capital of the state was located in the northwest of present-day Suixian County, Henan Province, and later moved to Fei (southwest of present-day Yanshi County, Henan Province), hence it was also called Fei Hua. The state was later conquered by the Jin Dynasty, and its descendants adopted the name of the state as their surname.

Ancestor of the Hua Clan

The founder of the Hua clan was Lord Hua. During the ancient Zhou Dynasty, the Son of Heaven granted a member of his own royal family the fief of Hua (in the northwest of present-day Suixian County, Henan Province), and they were known as Lord Hua. Lord Hua established the Hua State, which was later conquered by the Jin Dynasty. His descendants adopted the name of the state as their surname and have continued to do so for generations. Many prominent families of the Hua clan came from the Jingzhao region. The name “Hua” also comes from the Huitai city. According to the “Revised Hua County Annals,” “The eighth son of the Duke of Zhou was enfeoffed in Hua and became Lord Hua.” Lord Hua originally had the Ji surname, but his descendants changed it to Hua. The “Yuanhe Zhuan” mentions that the Hua clan initially built a fortress, which was later developed into a city with a platform by their descendants; thus, it was called Huitai City. The “Shuijing Zhu” states, “According to old accounts, the people of Huitai built this city themselves, and it was named after them.” Therefore, descendants of Lord Hua are revered as the ancestors of the Hua clan.

Hall Names

• Jique Hall: “Jique” means to move forward side by side with great speed, symbolizing that the medical skills of the Hua clan are as excellent as those of Bian Que. During the Ming Dynasty, Hua Shou wrote impressive articles, especially in the genre of yuefu poetry. He studied under famous physicians Zhang Zhongjing, Liu Shouzhen, and Li Ming, integrating their knowledge. He was highly skilled in acupuncture and wrote many medical works.

Migration and Distribution

The Hua clan is not among the top 100 surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. The Hua clan originated from the Ji surname and is a descendant of the royal family of the Son of Heaven. They descend from the Hua State that existed 3,000 years ago, and their surname was derived from the name of the state. According to the “Moxian Zhuan,” the Hua clan is a descendant of the Duke of Zhou. The “Tongzhi·Shizú Lüe” also confirms this. The “Wanxìng Tǒngpǔ” indicates that there were members of the Hua clan among the descendants of the royal family of the Son of Heaven, and during the Han Dynasty, there was a person named Hua Xing. Historical records show that the Hua State existed during the Zhou Dynasty in the area around present-day Suixian County, Henan Province. During the Spring and Autumn period, the Hua State was conquered by powerful states such as Qin and Jin. Later, its descendants moved to Fei (in the southwest of present-day Yanshi County, Henan Province), where they adopted the name of the state as their surname. Prominent families of the Hua clan lived in the Xiapi Commandery, which is the ancient city of Xiapi in present-day Pizhou County, Jiangsu Province.