Wu Family History

Chinese:: Mandarin form of the surname 吳 meaning ‘big large’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Wu (吳) the name of a state (located in present-day Jiangsu province) which was granted to Tai Bo the first son of King Tai of Zhou (died c. 1146 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Yue in 473 BC, people from the state adopted 吳 (Wu) as their surname. (ii) from the placename Yu (虞) (located in present-day Shanxi province). Because Yu (虞) had a similar pronunciation to that of Wu (吳) in ancient Chinese, some people acquired Wu (吳) instead of Yu (虞) as their surname.

Mandarin form of the surname 伍 meaning ‘five’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Wu Xu (伍胥), an official during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Can (伍參), an official in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).

Mandarin form of the surname 武 meaning ‘military’ or ‘martial arts’ in Chinese: (i) from Wu Luo (武羅), which is said to be either the name of an official or that of an ancient state (in present-day Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) during the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Ding (武丁) (died 1192 BC), king of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) from the personal name of Ji Wu (姬武), son of King Ping of Zhou (died 720 BC). (iv) from Wu (武), the posthumous title of the Duke Wu of Song (ruler of the state of Song, reigned 765–748 BC).

Mandarin form of the surname 巫 meaning ‘wizard witch’ in Chinese: (i) from the personal name of Wu Peng (巫彭), a doctor during the reign of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ (c. 27th century BC). (ii) from the personal name of Wu Xian (巫鹹) and Wu Xian (巫賢), officials during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iii) from the occupational term Wu (巫) denoting soothsayers, astrologists, doctors, or wizards in ancient China.

Mandarin or Cantonese form of the surname 鄔: (i) from the placename Wu (鄔), a fief (in present-day Henan province) which was given to Qiu Yan, the fourth son of Lu Zhong (said to be a descendant of the legendary Huang Di the ‘Yellow Emperor’ c. 27th century BC). (ii) from Wu (鄔), the name of a fief (located in present-day Shanxi province) which was granted to Wu Zang (鄔臧), an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).