The Huo Clan#

Clan Name: Huo, pronounced as “huò”

Distribution of the Huo Clan**#

Taiyuan, Shanxi; Chengdu, Sichuan

Origins of the Huo Clan#

The origin of the “Huo” clan can be traced back to two main lines:

1. From the Ji Clan: The clan name was derived from the name of a state. According to the “Yuanhe Xingzuan” and “Guangyun,” in the 11th century BC, during the early Zhou Dynasty, Shu Chu, the sixth son of King Wen of Zhou, was granted the state of Huo (located in present-day Huo County, Shanxi Province). Along with Guan Shu and Cai Shu, he was responsible for overseeing the remnants of the Shang Dynasty, and they were collectively known as the “Three Supervisors.” During the reign of King Cheng of Zhou, Wu Geng rebelled in collusion with Huo Shu, but after the rebellion was quelled, Huo Shu was demoted to a commoner. The descendants of the state of Huo adopted the name of the state as their clan name.

2. From the Xian Clan: In 661 BC, the state of Huo was conquered by Duke Xian of Jin, who granted the land to Xian Qieju, who was then known as Huo Bo.

Migration and Distribution

The Huo clan originated in Shanxi and can be traced back to the 11th century BC. King Wu of Zhou bestowed the state of Huo on his brother Shu Chu in the Linfen area of present-day Shanxi Province. Later, Huo Shu, along with Cai Shu and Guan Shu, were tasked with overseeing the remnants of the Shang Dynasty. The descendants of the state of Huo adopted the name of the state as their clan name. The Huo family living in Gaodui Village, a suburb of Linfen, are descendants of Huo Qubing, a renowned general of the Han Dynasty. They have been living there for over 2,000 years. The migration of the Huo clan from their homeland in Shanxi began during the Qin and Han dynasties, initially to regions such as Henan, Hebei, and Shandong. By the Song Dynasty, members of the Huo clan had also migrated to Guangdong, Hainan, Jiangsu, and Fujian. After the conquest of Huo by Duke Tai of Jin, the political and social order in the Jin state fell into chaos. During the Han Dynasty, the country was plagued by wars, invasions, and continuous disasters, leading to frequent changes in dynasties. According to historical records, the migration of the Huo clan continued from their ancestral home in Shanxi to other regions.

The migration of the Huo clan was not isolated; it was part of a broader trend of migration from the Central Plains. For example, during the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered migrations from Shanxi, with eight waves of relocation occurring from 1370 to 1416. Some members of the Huo clan also served as officials, moving to places like Gansu and Guangdong. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Huo clansmen living along the coasts of Guangdong and Fujian began to migrate to Taiwan. The migration of the Huo clan was influenced by various social and political factors, including imperial decrees and natural disasters.

Notable Figures with the Huo Clan Name

• Huo Qubing: A renowned general of the Western Han Dynasty from Pingyang, Shanxi. He became famous for his skills in horseback riding and archery at the age of 18 and began leading troops in battles in his twenties. For his outstanding military achievements, he was appointed General of the Cavalry by Emperor Wu of Han.

• Huo Yuanjia: Also from Pingyang, Shanxi, he was the founder of the Jingwu Sports Association and a famous patriotic martial artist in modern times.