xu

Xu is a Chinese surname and, less commonly, a given name. In pinyin, Xu can represent several characters, most commonly 徐 (Xú) and 许/許 (Xǔ). The surname Xu is one of the more widespread in China and among Chinese communities abroad, with large populations in coastal provinces and significant presence in the global diaspora.

Origins and meaning: Xu has multiple independent origins in Chinese history. In many lineages it originated as a toponymic surname taken from places or feudal territories, while other families adopted Xu from an ancestral name or title. Over the centuries it diversified into numerous distinct lineages, so not all people named Xu share a single common ancestor.

Geographical distribution: Today the surname Xu is especially common in eastern China, with notable concentrations in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shandong. It is also prevalent in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and among overseas Chinese communities in North America and elsewhere.

Notable people: Notable individuals with the surname Xu include Xu Xiake, a Ming dynasty travel writer; Xu Guangqi, a 17th-century scientist and official who worked with Matteo Ricci; Xu Zhimo, an early 20th-century poet; and Xu Wei, a Ming painter and dramatist.

Other uses: While primarily a surname, Xu may appear as part of given names in Chinese contexts. The Wade-Giles transliteration Hsu corresponds to Xu for certain surnames, reflecting historical romanization variations.