Xu Clan｜The Xu Clan of Gaoyang: A Distinguished Nanyang Family｜The Surname Archive·SoChina

Key Nanyang Chinese SurnameCentral Plains Origin

OriginsOrigin

Main line: descended from the Jiang surname, through the Four Sacred Peaks of antiquity. Enfeoffed with the State of Xu in the Zhou dynasty (Xuchang, Henan); when the state fell, descendants took the state name as their surname.

Multiple origins: surname changes by ethnic minorities merged in.

Root point: the ancient State of Xu in Xuchang, Henan.

Migration RoutesMigration Routes

▸ Domestic migration: originated in the Central Plains; crossed south in the Wei–Jin era; entered Fujian in the Tang and Song, where the Xu of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou grew into a great clan; later spread into eastern Guangdong.

▸ Overseas branch: in the Ming and Qing, the Xu of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou formed the main force going to Nanyang.

Cultural SymbolsCULTURAL SYMBOLS

CommanderyGaoyang 高阳

Hall NameGaoyang Tang 高阳堂

Family PreceptsKeep benevolence and righteousness; bind kin and clan in harmony

Ancient NotablesXu Shen, Xu You

Overseas Community Leaders[To be added]

Classic StoryXu You Washes His Ears

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The Xu mainstream hall name is Gaoyang Tang, tracing to the ancient State of Xu in Xuchang, Henan. Quanzhou and Zhangzhou in Minnan are the core native places, and the Xu clan network in Southeast Asia is well established.