The 许 surname

Xu (许) is one of the surnames of Taishan. It comes from the ancient state of Xu, whose name its people took as their surname. Two surnames, Xu and Lin (林), have lived for generations in Buxi Village (步溪村), Shuibu Town (水步镇), and most of the village's villagers' groups are Xu.^[1][2]

Origin of the surname[edit]

The Xu surname comes mainly from the Jiang (姜) surname; the Xu are descendants of the Flame Emperor (炎帝) and share an ancestor with the state of Qi. Under King Cheng of Zhou, Xu Wenshu (许文叔) was enfeoffed as a feudal lord and founded the state of Xu; early in the Warring States period Xu was destroyed by Chu, and his descendants took the name of the state as their surname. Another account makes Xu You (许由), a recluse of the time of Yao, the forefather of the Xu. The ancestral commanderies of the Xu include Runan (汝南) and Gaoyang (高阳), and a common hall name is Gaoyang Hall (高阳堂).^[1]

Distribution[edit]

According to the website of the Shuibu Town government, Buxi Village lies in the middle of Shuibu Town and has 13 villagers' groups under it; the Lin live in four of the groups, Bazhou (八洲), Yongning (永宁), Gongshan (弓山) and Dong'an (东安), and the other nine groups are all Xu.^[2]

How the Xu came to Taishan and where they live is yet to be added. Family members who know more are welcome to edit this article.

People[edit]

• Xu Jibai (许济柏), originally named Yuezhou (月舟), changed his name to Binglin (炳霖) when he took office. He was from Yongsheng Village (永盛村), Buxi, a military jinshi of the Qing, and was appointed a Blue Plume Guard (蓝翎侍卫); the Yishi Study (裔势书室) in Yongsheng Village was built in his memory.^[2]
• Xu Hongxian (许鸿羡), of Longrong Village (龙荣村), Buxi, was a revolutionary martyr, one of the founders of the Taishan Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard (台山青年抗日先锋队), and served as political instructor of the training company of the 4th Regiment of the Central Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Liberation Army (粤中人民抗日解放军).^[2]