The Pu Clan#

Surname: Pu, pronounced as “pú”

Distribution of the Pu Clan#

The Pu clan originated from the Hedong Commandery, which was established during the Qin Dynasty and was located in what is now Xia County, east of the Yellow River in Shanxi Province.

Origins of the Pu Clan#

There are four theories regarding the origin of the “Pu” surname:

1. It may come from the name of a fiefdom. According to legend, during the Xia Dynasty, a descendant of Emperor Shun was granted the fiefdom of Puban (around present-day Xipuzhou, Yongji, Shanxi Province), and his descendants adopted the name of the fiefdom as their surname.
2. It could be derived from a plant known as “pucao” (rush grass). During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Fu Hong, a high-ranking general and governor of Jizhou, had a pond in his home where lush rush grass grew. This unique feature led people to call his family the “Pu family,” and thus the surname was adopted.
3. Some believe the Pu clan descended from the Hu people, another ethnic group, also associated with the rush grass. According to historical records, the chiefs of the Western Qiang tribe had a pond with particularly large rush grass that resembled bamboo stalks; this led to the adoption of the surname “Pu.”
4. There is also a theory that the Pu surname originated from people of Middle Eastern descent. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Arabs from the Western Regions settled in China and adopted the Chinese surname “Pu.”

Ancestor of the Pu Clan The ancestor of the Pu clan is considered to be Yu Shun. The “Wanxing Tongpu” (Comprehensive Genealogy) records that Shun established his capital in Puban, which is located in present-day Xipuzhou, Yongji, Shanxi Province. His descendants later adopted the name of their fiefdom as their surname. The prominent Pu clan originated from Hedong, and therefore, they regarded Yu Shun as the founder of the Pu clan.

Migration and Distribution The Pu clan does not rank among the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan.

Notes on the Pu Clan’s History

• During the Xia Dynasty, descendants of Emperor Shun were granted the fiefdom of Puyi (west of present-day Yongji, Shanxi Province), which led to the establishment of the state of Puguo. The royal family of Puguo adopted the name of their fiefdom as their surname, marking the beginning of the Pu clan.
• In the Spring and Autumn period, a descendant of Emperor Shaohao was granted a fiefdom in Puyi (north of present-day Xi County, Shanxi Province), which also contributed to the spread of the surname.
• In ancient times, rush grass was used as food and for weaving clothing and mats, which may have influenced the adoption of the surname in some regions.
• Arab traders from the Western Regions also adopted the Chinese surname “Pu” during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Interesting Facts about the Pu Clan

• The Pu clan has a rich historical background, with various theories about its origin, including connections to plants and tribal names.
• The Pu clan’s prominent members lived in Hedong Commandery, specifically in the northern part of present-day Xia County, Shanxi Province.

Hall Names

• The “Yirang Hall” and “Dishi Hall” are both associated with Emperor Shun, as Pu Yi, an 18-year-old scholar who was Shun’s teacher, refused to accept the throne when offered to him.

Common Couplets for Pu Clan Ancestral Halls

• Four-character couplets:
  • “Accidental encounter with Chao You; Teacher to Emperor Yu” – Refers to the wise scholar Pu Yi, who refused the throne from Emperor Shun.
  • “Dragon from the north of the border; Tortoise occupying the west of the river” – Describes the geographical location of the Pu clan’s heritage.
• Six-character couplets:
  • “Wisdom derived from maternal education; Early brilliance qualifies one to be a teacher to an emperor.”
  • “Respect for the example of Chao You; Renowned teacher to Emperor Yu.”
• Seven-character couplets:
  • “Honored in the Ming Dynasty as an incorruptible official; Proud in the Song Dynasty as a top scholar.”
  • “Skilled craftsmen made three thousand knives; Masterpieces of literature created by renowned scholars.”

Additional Information

• The Pu clan’s ancestral hall names reflect their historical and cultural significance, with connections to famous figures and places.

These couplets and historical references highlight the rich heritage and traditions of the Pu clan.