Traditional:

Lu

Pronounced like: "Loo"

Other Spellings: Loo, Lo, Ro, Lǔ

Quick Facts

SurnameLu ()
Traditional Form
Rank in China#115
Element (Wu Xing)Water
Ancient RootJi (姬)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Lu Family Name

Der primäre Ursprung des Nachnamens Lu ist eng mit der königlichen Linie der Westlichen Zhou-Dynastie verknüpft. König Wu von Zhou verlieh das Territorium Lu (das heutige Qufu, Shandong) seinem jüngeren Bruder, dem Herzog von Zhou (Ji Dan), in Anerkennung seiner immensen Verdienste um den Staat. Obwohl der Herzog in der Hauptstadt blieb, um dem König beizustehen, ging sein ältester Sohn, Bo Qin, in das Lehen und wurde der erste Herrscher des Staates Lu. Dieser Staat bestand fast 800 Jahre lang, bis er 256 v. Chr. während der Zeit der Streitenden Reiche vom Staat Chu annektiert wurde. Nach dem Fall ihres Staates nahmen die Mitglieder der Herrscherfamilie den Namen ihrer ehemaligen Heimat 'Lu' als Nachnamen an.

What Does the Chinese Surname Lu Mean?

Der Nachname 'Lu' (鲁) trägt verschiedene Bedeutungsebenen. Etymologisch setzt sich das Schriftzeichen aus Komponenten zusammen, die 'Fisch' und ein 'Gefäß' oder 'Mund' darstellen, was ursprünglich auf etwas Schmackhaftes oder Gehaltvolles hindeutete. Im modernen Chinesisch kann es 'unbesonnen' oder 'einfach' bedeuten, aber seine historische Bedeutung stammt vom Staat Lu, einem der kulturell bedeutendsten Staaten im alten China. In der heutigen Provinz Shandong gelegen, war er der Geburtsort von Konfuzius und ein Zentrum für Rituale und Gelehrsamkeit. Als Nachname symbolisiert er ein Erbe, das mit dieser Wiege der konfuzianischen Zivilisation verbunden ist und Tugenden wie Ehrlichkeit, Einfachheit und kulturelle Raffinesse verkörpert.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Lu

VariantPrimary Region
LooHokkien/Teochew
LoCantonese
RoKorean
RoJapanese
Pinyin

Famous People With the Surname Lu

1. Lu Ban: Ein legendärer Bauingenieur, Erfinder und Zimmermann während der Frühlings- und Herbstperiode, der als Schutzpatron der chinesischen Baumeister und Handwerker verehrt wird.

2. Lu Su: Ein prominenter Diplomat und Militärstratege für den Staat Ost-Wu während der Zeit der Drei Reiche, bekannt für seine Rolle in der Schlacht von Chibi.

3. Lu Xun: Das Pseudonym von Zhou Shuren, der führenden Figur der modernen chinesischen Literatur im

2

0. Jahrhundert, der den Nachnamen seiner Mutter 'Lu' für seine Werke annahm.

Clan Motto

Traditional clan mottos for the surname emphasize virtues such as integrity, diligence, and respect for one's ancestors. While specific wording may vary across regions and historical branches of the family, the spirit of these mottos is to honor the family line and live with moral responsibility in everyday life.

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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ

What does the Chinese surname Lu (鲁) mean?+

The surname 'Lu' (鲁) carries several layers of significance. Etymologically, the character is composed of components representing 'fish' and a 'vessel' or 'mouth,' originally suggesting something tasty or substantial. In modern Chinese, it can mean 'rash' or 'simple,' but its historical weight comes from the State of Lu, one of the most culturally significant states in ancient China. Located in modern-day Shandong Province, it was the birthplace of Confucius and a center of ritual and learning. As a surname, it signifies a heritage linked to this cradle of Confucian civilization, embodying virtues of honesty, simplicity, and cultural refinement. It is often associated with the 'Lu school' of thought and the historical preservation of Zhou Dynasty rites, representing a deep connection to China's classical philosophical roots.

How common is the surname Lu?+

The surname Lu ranks approximately #115 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 鲁?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Lu. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Loo".

How many Chinese surnames are there?+

Historically, there are over 4,000 Chinese surnames, but only about 500 are in common use today. Our database covers these 500+ essential family names.

What are the most common Chinese last names?+

The most common Chinese last names are Wang (王), Li (李), and Zhang (张). Together, they account for over 20% of the population in China.

Are Chinese names written surname first?+

Yes, in Chinese culture, the surname is written first, followed by the given name. For example, in 'Li Shimin', 'Li' is the family name.

How can I find the meaning of my Chinese last name?+

Every Chinese surname has a distinct meaning rooted in ancient clans, professions, or elements. You can search our directory to find the specific origin of your name.

What is the 'Hundred Family Surnames' (Baijiaxing)?+

The 'Hundred Family Surnames' (百家姓) is a classic Chinese text compiling common surnames. Originally containing over 400 last names, it is a foundational piece of Chinese cultural identity.

Are there two-character Chinese surnames?+

Yes. While most are single-character (like Wang or Li), there are compound surnames (复姓 - Fùxìng) consisting of two characters, such as Ouyang (欧阳), Zhuge (诸葛), and Sima (司马).

Do Chinese women change their last name after marriage?+

Traditionally, no. Chinese women keep their maiden surname after marriage. It is very rare for a wife to adopt her husband's last name in Chinese culture.

What is the oldest Chinese surname?+

The oldest Chinese surnames often contain the 'woman' radical (女), such as Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), and Yao (姚), tracing back thousands of years to ancient matriarchal societies.

Why do so many people share the same Chinese last name?+

Due to centuries of population growth, clan consolidations, and the historical adoption of imperial surnames, a massive portion of the population now shares a small pool of common last names.

How are Chinese last names inherited?+

A Chinese surname is almost universally inherited from the father, maintaining the patrilineal clan lineage spanning dozens of generations.