The Qiou Clan#

Surname: Qiou, pronounced as “qiū”

Distribution of the Qiou Clan**#

The Qiou clan originated from the Tianshui Commandery, which was established in the early Western Han Dynasty. This region corresponds to the areas of Tianshui and Longxi in present-day Gansu Province, as well as areas to the east of them.

Origin of the Qiou Clan**#

The surname “Qiou” has the following origins:

1. Ancient origins: It is said to have descended from Shaohao, a descendant of the Yellow Emperor. Shaohao was the son of Emperor Ku and a great-grandson of the Yellow Emperor. During the Spring and Autumn period, one of Shaohao’s descendants, Zhongsun Qiu, served as a high-ranking official in the state of Lu. His descendant, Hu, held a position as a court official in the state of Chen. His descendants adopted the character “Qiu” (which means “water” in Chinese) from their grandfather’s name, thus forming the Qiou surname.

2. Origin from official titles: During the Western Zhou Dynasty, an official position called the “Sikou” was established; this position was later referred to as the “Qiuguan” (Qiou Official). Descendants of these officials adopted the title as their surname, thus forming the Qiou clan.

Hall Names

“Jianhu Hall”: Qiu Jin, a revolutionary martyr from the late Qing Dynasty, was also known as the “Jianhu Lady Heroine.” She planned an uprising with Xu Xilin but was betrayed and sacrificed for her beliefs. She is regarded as a great woman of her time.

Migration and Distribution

The Qiou surname does not rank among the top 100 surnames in either mainland China or Taiwan. According to legend, one of the descendants of Emperor Shaohao was named Qiu Bo, and his descendants have passed down the Qiou surname through generations. The prominent Qiou clansmen lived in the Tianshui Commandery (the areas of Tianshui and Longxi in present-day Gansu Province).

Notable People with the Surname Qiou

Qiu Jin: Also known as Xuanqing and styled herself the Jianhu Lady Heroine, Qiu Jin was a female revolutionary and poet from the late Qing Dynasty. She was well-versed in classical texts and history, skilled in poetry and martial arts (riding, shooting, and swordsmanship). In 1904, she left her husband and children to study in Japan. The following year, she joined the Tongmenghui (Republican League) and served as a member of the Zhejiang branch. She advocated for gender equality and women’s liberation, promoting the democratic revolution. She later returned to Shaoxing to teach at the Daitong School for Women and organized the Guangfu Army with Xu Xilin, preparing for an uprising. However, the plot was exposed, and Xu Xilin’s attempt failed. When the Qing government’s troops surrounded the school, Qiu Jin led a small group of teachers and students in armed resistance. She was captured and executed at the age of 32. Her poem “Zhegutian: The Dragon Sword Rings Every Night on the Wall” expresses her deep sorrow for her country’s plight and her determination to sacrifice herself for its freedom: “Unable to bear the fall of my nation, I seek kindred spirits overseas. The lost territory must be reclaimed; I dare not cherish my own life for my country! Alas, the dangers and hardships… I embark on a heroic journey across thousands of miles. Do not say that women are not capable of great things; the dragon sword rings every night on the wall…”