Shu Family History
Shu Surname Meaning
Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 舒 meaning ‘stretch unfold’ or ‘leisurely’ in Chinese: from Shu (舒) the name of an ancient state (located in Anhui province) during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). The state was once annexed by the state of Xu in 657 BC but later restored. Later it was eventually annexed by the state of Chu in 552 BC and the name of the state was adopted as a surname.
Mandarin form of the surname 束 meaning ‘bind restrain’ in Chinese: adopted in place of the Chinese surname Shu (疏 also written as 疎 in ancient Chinese) by Shu Guang (疎廣) who migrated from Donghai (located in Shandong province) to Sha Lu Hill (located in Henan province) and simplified his surname Shu (疎) to Shu (束) in order to escape from the wars during the late Xin dynasty (9–23 AD).
Mandarin form of the surname 殳 referring to a ‘type of ancient weapon made of bamboo’: (i) possibly from name of a type of ancient weapon made of bamboo. (ii) from Shu (殳) said to be name of a fief (possibly located in present-day Shandong province) granted to the third son of Bo Ling during the reign of Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC).
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022