Fu Family History
Fu Surname Meaning
Chinese surnames such as 傅, 付, 符, 扶, 伏, 福, 富, 甫, and 宓 each have unique meanings and historical significance. The surname 傅, pronounced 'Fu,' translates to 'master' or 'teacher.' It is believed to have originated from Fu Yue, a prime minister from the Shang dynasty, or from the placename Fu, a fief granted during the Western Zhou dynasty.
Another surname, 付, meaning 'commit' or 'pay,' also has historical roots. It is associated with Shi Fu, an individual from the state of Zheng in the Spring and Autumn period. Additionally, it serves as a simplified form of 傅, linking it further to the ancestry of the name.
The surname 符, translating to 'tally,' is derived from a post held by a grandson of Duke Qing of Lu, who migrated to Qin. In contrast, 扶 means 'help' or 'support,' and its origins can be traced back to the reign of Xia Yu, the first king of the Xia dynasty, or a lineage supported by the Emperor Gaozu of Han.
Another form, 伏, means 'dog days' or 'subdue,' and is linked to legendary figures like Fu Xi. This surname has ties to students of Confucius and was adopted by families from the Xianbei ethnic group during the Northern Wei dynasty. The surname 福 denotes 'good fortune' and has associations with officials from the state of Qi as well as the Ming dynasty.
Furthermore, 富 means 'rich' and relates to descendants of Fu Chen and the compound surname Fu-Fu. The surname 甫 serves as a courtesy name with connections to ancient states in Henan province, while 宓 appears in Mandarin with another pronunciation. Lastly, variations of these surnames, like 胡 and 扈, highlight the diversity within Chinese surnames and their historical narratives.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022
