Chinese:: Mandarin form of the surname 徐 meaning ‘gradually slowly’ in Chinese: (i) from Xu (徐) the name of a state (covering present-day Jiangsu and Anhui province) originally granted to Ruo Mu son of an official called Bo Yi during the reign of Xia Yu the first king of the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC). The state was destroyed by the state of Chu during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) but later restored and eventually annexed by the state of Wu in 512 BC. After its annihilation the name of the state was adopted as a surname.
(ii) borne by the descendants of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). The Xu family was one of the six clans of the Shang dynasty that were sent to the state of Lu after the annihilation of the Shang dynasty. (iii) surname borne by descendants of Xu Zhi Gao (徐知誥) an alternative name of Li Sheng the founder of the state of Southern Tang (937–975 AD). (iv) a surname of the Xu (徐) family from the Di ethnic group in northern China.
Mandarin form of the surname 許 meaning ‘promise agree’ or ‘location’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Xu (許) the name of a small state (originally located in Xuchang in Henan province) granted to Wen Shu by King Wu of Zhou (c. 1087–1043 BC). After it was annexed by the state of Chu during the early Warring States period (475–221 BC) the name of the state was adopted as a surname.
(ii) said to be borne by descendants of Xu You (許由) a talent who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC). Mandarin form of the surname 胥 meaning ‘inspect’ or referring to a ‘petty official’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from the first element of the personal name Xu Chen (胥臣) style name of an official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). (ii) said to be traced back to He Xu Shi (赫胥氏) who was said to be the legendary Yan Di or the Yan Emperor.
Mandarin form of the surname 續 meaning ‘continue’ in Chinese: (i) said to be traced back to Xu Ya (續牙) a friend of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC). (ii) from the placename Xu (續) the name of a fief (located in Shanxi province) granted to Hu Juju also known as Xu Jian Bo (續簡伯 'Earl Jian of Xu' died 621 BC) a senior official in the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC). Mandarin form of the surname 須 meaning ‘beard’ in Chinese: (i) from the first element of Xu Qu (須胊 or 須句) the name of an ancient state (located in Xucheng in Shandong province) annexed by the state of Zhu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).
