Liu Clan｜Blood of the Han House, Carried Across the Oceans｜The Surname Archive·SoChina

Top Five SurnamesCentral Plains Origin

OriginsOrigin

Main lineage: One line descends from the Qi surname through Liu Lei, a descendant of Emperor Yao and the earliest recorded Liu; another comes from the Ji surname. After the Han dynasty was founded, Liu became the imperial surname and the clan grew rapidly.

A clan of many sources: The clan includes branches from the Xiongnu and other ethnic groups, and from bestowed surnames.

Root points: Lushan in Henan (the home of Liu Lei) and Pengcheng in Jiangsu are the two cores.

Migration RoutesMigration Routes

▸ Internal migration: Early on the clan was in the Central Plains and North China; from the Han onward it spread nationwide; Wei–Jin migrants moved to Jiangnan; the Tang and Song brought it to Fujian and Guangdong; the Ming and Qing saw the Hongtong migration, the filling of Sichuan from Huguang, and the trek to the Northeast.

▸ Overseas branches: Lius of Guangdong, Fujian, and the Hakka and Chaoshan communities went to the Nanyang during the Ming and Qing.

Cultural SymbolsCULTURAL SYMBOLS

CommanderyPengcheng 彭城

Hall NamePengcheng Hall 彭城堂

Family PreceptsRevere the ancestors and honor kin; exalt learning and uphold righteousness

Ancient NotablesLiu Bang, Liu Bei

Overseas Community Leaders[To be added]

Classic StoryThree Visits to the Thatched Cottage

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The mainstream hall name is Pengcheng Hall. Lushan in Henan is the home of founding ancestor Liu Lei; the Hakka and Chaoshan regions are the main Nanyang emigrant homelands of the Liu, and the World Liu Friendship Association holds regular clan gatherings.