Chinese surname · rank 414
玉
玉 is read as yù.
yù
Simplified and traditional 玉
jade, precious stone, gem
Metal
Time: Spring and Autumn tradition, 770-476 BCE
Place: Chu Yuyin official-title context; Qi / Gongyu tradition; southern Zhuang and northern Mongol surname contexts; Hui, Western Regions, Korean, and Xibo notes in later surname references
Origin note
Yu/玉 is treated as a multi-source surname, not simply the word jade. One source-backed layer derives it from the Chu office Yuyin, an official connected with royal seals or jade. Another derives it from Gongyu, later shortened to Yu in Han-period surname traditions. Additional ethnic and granted-surname layers appear in southern Zhuang, Mongol, Hui, Western Regions, Korean, and Xibo contexts. Because the sources differ, the page presents these as parallel layers and avoids a single-founder claim.
Historical figures
Historical figures to enrich
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