The Yu Family Name#

Family Name: Yu, pronounced as “yú”

Distribution of the Yu Family Name#

• Yanmen Commandery: Established during the Warring States period by the Zhao state. This corresponds to the area around present-day Dai County, Shanxi Province.
• Fengyi Commandery: Established during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty as Zuo Fengyi; it was renamed Fengyi Commandery during the Wei dynasty of the Three Kingdoms period. The administrative center was located in present-day Dali County, Shaanxi Province.

Origin of the Yu Family Name#

The Yu family name has two origins:

1. Derived from the Zi surname: The Yu family name originates from descendants of King Tang of the Shang dynasty, who adopted their ancestor’s given name as their family name. During the Spring and Autumn period, Prince Mu Yi of Song, the younger brother of Duke Xiang of Song, was known by the given name Ziyu. Duke Xiang sought to become the dominant power in the Central Plains and convened a meeting with states such as Qi and Chu at Yu. Before the meeting, Ziyu warned that the Chu people were untrustworthy and suggested bringing troops for protection. However, Duke Xiang disregarded this advice and was later detained by the Chu people at the meeting. Ziyu fled back to Song and organized the Song forces to resist, forcing the Chu king to release Duke Xiang. Soon after, Song and Chu clashed at the Hong River. Ziyu advised Duke Xiang to attack while the Chu army was still crossing the river, but Duke Xiang refused on moral grounds. When the Chu army was fully prepared, the weaker Song forces were defeated. After the battle, Ziyu criticized Duke Xiang, saying that one must use all means to defeat the enemy in war; otherwise, surrendering would be the only option. A branch of Ziyu’s descendants adopted their grandfather’s given name as their family name.

2. Changed from another surname: During the Tang dynasty, a Xianbei general named Shang Kegu adopted Yuan Jiao'en of the Tang dynasty as their adoptive father and changed their name to Yuzhide. Their descendants also took the Yu family name.

Ancestor of the Yu Family Name

According to “Tongzhi·Shizhu Lue”: “The ‘Fengsu Tong’ states: ‘Prince Mu Yi of Song, also known as Ziyu, had his descendants adopt their adoptive father’s given name as their family name.’ During the Han dynasty, there was a person named Yufeng Shu; during the Tang dynasty, there was Yu Chaoen.’” “Xingshizhao Lue” explains: “The Yu family name, derived from the Zi surname, originated from Prince Mu Yi of Song. Their ancestral home was in Fengyi, and their lineage can be traced back to Shanxi.” The prominent clan members lived in Yanmen Commandery (northwest of present-day Dai County, Shanxi Province). Therefore, Ziyu is considered the ancestor of the Yu family name.

Migration and Distribution

The Yu family name is not among the top 100 most common family names on the Chinese mainland or in Taiwan. It is now relatively rare, but many people may be familiar with Yu Xuanji, a famous female Taoist priest and poet from the Tang dynasty. The Yu family name originated from the Zi surname, with its ancestor being Prince Mu Yi of Song during the Spring and Autumn period. Ziyu was a wise and strategic advisor, but Duke Xiang of Song was overly conservative and often suffered defeats. During the battle at the Hong River, Ziyu advised Duke Xiang to attack while the Chu army was crossing the river, but Duke Xiang refused. When the Chu army completed the crossing, Ziyu advised another attack while their formation was still unorganized, yet Duke Xiang again refused. As a result, the Song army was defeated. Duke Xiang became a laughingstock, while Ziyu’s wisdom was remembered throughout history, and his descendants adopted his name as their family name.

Hall Names

• Lingqu Hall: During the Tang dynasty, Yu Mengwei, the governor of Jingzhou, built a stone dam that stretched for 40 miles and installed eighteen sets of wooden gates, facilitating maritime transportation and benefiting the people.

Common Couplets for Yu Family Ancestral Shrines

Four-Character Couplets for Yu Family Ancestral Shrines#

• “Golden Snake Illusion; Sima Hua’s Legacy.” This couplet refers to Yu Zhouxun from Yongqiu during the Northern Song dynasty, who was orphaned as a child but studied diligently. He became a high-ranking official and served as the Right Censor-in-Chief during the reign of Emperor Renzong. A story tells that when he was the governor of Anzhou, a gardener’s assistant saw a large snake hanging on a railing; upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Yu Zhouxun asleep after drinking. This couplet highlights the family’s origin.
• “Left Tutor’s Prestige; Sima Hua’s Legacy.” This couplet refers to Yu Mengwei of the Tang dynasty, as mentioned earlier in the introduction to Lingqu Hall.

Seven-Character Couplets for Yu Family Ancestral Shrines#

• “Building the Lingqu Canal for Water Management; Donning Crowns and Robes to Pursue Spiritual Clarity.” This couplet celebrates Yu Mengwei of the Tang dynasty, who built the Lingqu Canal during the Xiantong period, greatly benefiting the people.
• “Reading and Studying for Spiritual Enlightenment.” This couplet refers to Yu Xuanji, a female poet from the Tang dynasty, who was talented and fond of reading. She became a Taoist priest in Chang’an and exchanged poems with poets like Wen Tingyun.

The Yu family name has a rich history and cultural significance, with its origins dating back to the Spring and Autumn period and its influence continuing through the Tang dynasty and beyond.