The Yu Clan#

Clan Name: Yu, pronounced as “yú”

Distribution of the Yu Clan#

Kaifeng, Henan; Suzhou, Jiangsu; Lankao, Henan

Origin of the Yu Clan#

The origin of the Yu clan can be traced to two sources:

1. From the Gui Clan: The clan name was derived from the name of a state, originating from Emperor Shun. In ancient times, Emperor Shun was also known as “Youyu”, making him the progenitor of the Yu clan. After Dayu successfully controlled the floods, Emperor Shun abdicated in his favor. Dayu then enfeoffed Shun’s son in the region of Yu and established the state of Yu. Shun’s descendants adopted “Yu” as their clan name.
2. From the Ji Clan: At the beginning of the Western Zhou Dynasty, King Wu enfeoffed a descendant of Zhong Yong in the area of Yu, leading to the establishment of the state of Yu. When the state of Yu was conquered by the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period, its people adopted the name of the state as their clan name.

Progenitor of the Clan Yu Shun, whose given name was Chonghua, lived during the late period of primitive society. According to historical records, Yao abdicated in favor of Shun, who ruled for 39 years. Shun is regarded as a sage in Chinese history, a leader of the ancient tribal alliance, and a representative of the abdication tradition. He was crowned king after receiving the throne from Yao. Shun was known for his filial piety towards his stepmother and kindness towards his younger brother, and is considered an ideal figure by Confucianism, making him the progenitor of the Yu clan.

Migration and Distribution The Yu clan does not rank among the top 100 most common clans in mainland China or Taiwan. The Yu clan originated from the Yao clan. During ancient times, Yao abdicated in favor of Shun, who was also called “Youyu”. Later, after Dayu’s contributions to controlling the floods, Shun abdicated in favor of Dayu, who established the state of Yu. Shun’s descendant, Shang Jun, was enfeoffed in Yu (now located in Puzhou Town, Yongji County, Shanxi Province, or possibly in eastern Henan Province). Shang Jun’s descendants adopted the name “Yu” as their clan name.

Notable Figures with the Yu Clan Name

• Yu Shinan: A native of Yuyao during the Tang Dynasty, he served as a secretary and one of the Eighteen Scholars during the Tang Dynasty. He was highly praised for his virtue, loyalty, knowledge, and literary skills, and was skilled in calligraphy, learning from the monk Zhiyong. He specialized in the semi-cursive and cursive scripts and was as famous as Ouyang Xun; together, they were known as “Ouyang and Yu”. He died in the 12th year of the Zhenguan era at the age of 80 and compiled the “Beitang Shichao” (173 volumes).
• Yu Qiaqing (1867–1945): From Zhenhai, Zhejiang, he worked as a merchant and bank manager in Shanghai. In 1903, he founded the Tonghui Bank and later the Siming Bank. He played a key role in resolving a significant legal case in Shanghai and became well-known in the city. In 1911, after the liberation of Shanghai, he served as an advisor to the military government and deputy director of foreign affairs. He founded the Sanbei Company in 1914 and advocated for the reopening of markets during the May Fourth Movement. In 1920, he became the president of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce and persisted in supporting the resistance against Japanese occupation during the War of Resistance. He passed away in Chongqing in April 1945.