The Mao Clan#

Surname: Mao, pronounced as “máo”

Regions where the Mao Clan is found**#

• Xi'an City
• Xixihe County

Origins of the Mao Clan**#

The name “Mao” originates from the following sources:

1. It may have originated from the Ji surname, specifically from Mao Shu, the third son of the Duke of Zhou during the Zhou Dynasty. This is an example of a surname derived from the name of a paternal ancestor.
2. It could also have originated from the Ji surname, but in this case, from Xian Mao, a high-ranking official of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. Similarly, this is a surname derived from the name of a paternal ancestor.
3. Yet another origin could be from the Ji surname, with Mao Yi, a high-ranking official of the State of Zhu during the Spring and Autumn period. This too is a surname derived from the name of a paternal ancestor.
4. Finally, it could have originated from the Gui surname, with Mao Jiao, a high-ranking official of the State of Qin at the end of the Warring States period. This is also a surname derived from the name of a paternal ancestor.

Migration and Distribution The Mao Clan originated from the Ji surname, with its birthplace located in the southwest of present-day Jinxiang County, Shandong Province. Duke of Zhou Dan was the son of King Wen of Zhou. Mao Shu, the fifth son of Duke of Zhou, was granted the fief of Maoyi, and thus the surname “Mao” came into being. Later, when the State of Mao was conquered by the neighboring State of Zou, the royal descendants of Mao agreed to use the name of their former state as their surname.

Notable People with the Surname Mao

• Mao Kun: Also known as Shunfu and with the courtesy name Lumen, he was from Gui'an during the Ming Dynasty. He had both literary and martial talents and selected and published works by the eight great literary figures of the Tang and Song dynasties. His works include “Baihua Lou Cang Gao” and “Yuzhi Shan Fang Gao.”
• Mao Hongru: Also known as Zhaoru, he was from Qiantang, Zhejiang during the Qing Dynasty. He was skilled in poetry and loved to travel extensively. His paintings of landscapes, flowers, and birds possessed a refined artistic style. He authored “Dongli Caotang Shi Chao.”
• Mao Xinglai: Also known as Qisuo and with the courtesy name Dunyu, he was from Gui'an during the Qing Dynasty. He was talented in writing and his works reflected a sense of righteousness and conviction. He later focused on the study of classics and the teachings of Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi. He died at the age of 70 as a scholar. His works include “Jinsi Lu Ji Zhu” and “Dunwang Wen Chao.”

Historical Notes According to the book “Wulin Jiushi,” the area of Maojiabu, located west of West Lake, was historically inhabited by many people with the surname Mao, who made a living by tea picking and sericulture.

The Mao Clan is not among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan today.