Gu or 顾 - The Roots of Chinese Surnames: Exploring Heritage and History

The Gu (顾) surname carries a noble and ancient heritage, rooted in both the royal lineages of Yue and the powerful tribal clans of early China.

Its story stretches across dynasties and myth, reflecting devotion, service, and cultural endurance.

The First Origin: From the State of Yue

The first origin of the Gu surname traces back to the ancient State of Yue (越).

Yu the Great (about 2123 BC — 2025 BC), the legendary founder of the Xia Dynasty (about 2070 BC — 1600 BC), left behind not only a dynasty but a legacy of virtue and devotion.

After his death, his son Qi (启) built a memorial temple on the mountain where Yu was buried, transforming it into a sacred site for royal worship.

Later, a Xia prince was granted this land to oversee ancestral rites, and from this territory, the State of Yue emerged. 

Centuries later, under the leadership of King Goujian, Yue rose to prominence, defeating its formidable rival, the State of Wu, and becoming a dominant kingdom in southern China.

During the early Han Dynasty (202 BC — 220 AD), one of Goujian's descendants, Yao(摇), was honored for his military contributions in helping to establish the Han Empire.

Around 192 BCE, Emperor Hui of Han (211 BC — 188 AD) enfeoffed him in the old territory of Yue.

Yao passed his fief to his son, who became known as the Marquis of Gu Yu (顾余).

From that time onward, the family adopted the character “Gu” from their homeland, carrying forward the proud legacy of Yue's noble house.

The Second Origin: From the Kunwu Tribe

The second branch of the Gu family originates from the ancient Kunwu (昆吾) tribe, descendants of Wu Hui (吴回).

Wu Hui was revered in early Chinese mythology as the God of Fire, though some accounts say he governed the use of fire during the reign of Emperor Ku (喾).

His grandson, Fan (樊), was later granted the fief of Kunwu, and his descendants became known as the Kunwu clan.

During the Xia Dynasty, a branch of this lineage was enfeoffed in a land called Gu, and their ruler became known as the Lord of Gu.

The State of Gu became one of Xia's key allies and later a powerful state during the Shang period (1600 BC — 1046 BC).

When King Tang of Shang (about 1670 BC — 1587 BC) overthrew the Xia Dynasty, the State of Gu was destroyed.

Its people scattered across the land, taking the name of their fallen homeland, Gu, as their family name.

In this way, the memory of their homeland endured for generations.

The Enduring Legacy of the Gu Surname

Throughout centuries of dynastic change, the Gu family produced scholars, ministers, artists, generals, and thinkers whose contributions enriched Chinese civilization.

Today, the surname Gu remains a respected and cherished name across China and among overseas Chinese communities.

It stands as a symbol of remembrance and resilience, echoing royal virtue, ancient devotion, and the enduring spirit of the Chinese people.