The Xu - Kho Family  has a  rich history of more than 4,000 years.  Originating from  He Nan  province  in  the central   plains of China,   Xu clan  is said  to be  the descendants of one of the three emperors of the Xia Dynasty (2100-1600 BC), Emperor Yan Ti.

According   to  the  ancient  book  on  the  origin of  Chinese  surnames "Xing Chuan", Emperor Yan Ti  (also known to some ancient scriptures as Sen Noung Ti meaning God of Harvest -  was given this name for he first developed  a systematic method of farming  in ancient China)  has the surname  "Jiang",  but  named one of his descendants Xu Wuon Sio with the surname Xu. Thus Xu Wuon Sio was said to be Xu clan's first ancestor.

After Emperor Yan Ti, who lived a great age of 140, came Emperor Yao Ti. During Emperor Yao, a high government official related to the Emperor has the  name Xu Yu.  It  was said  that he was given praise & honor for his  devotion &  service to the Empire,  thus the title Tai Yhe (Tai Gak) was hailed to him.  He  was  even offered the throne of the Empire, but somewhat he refused to accept it and only continued to serve as a public official.

Descending from the ancient emperors,  Emperor Zhou Wu Wang of the Zhou Dynasty (1100-476 BC)  gave one of  his territory the name Xu Kuo  (Xu Kingdom) for Xu Wuon Sio descendants to rule. At that time on, Xu became the name of a state of the Zhou Empire. It lasted until the Spring-Autumn Period (770-476 BC). Xu Kuo was later invaded by Cho Ba Wang (Cho Kingdom during the Warring states 475-221 BC) and annexed Xu kingdom to his own territory. The kingdom of Xu was then vanquished, leaving royal descendants to scattered through out ancient China.   In remembrance of their great ancestor & their kingdom,  the royal descendants used Xu as their surname, thus making Xu as one of China's most ancient and famous surnames.

Many  Xu  descendants have  also served & played important roles in different Dynasties & governments throughout China's history, bringing great honor  to  the family name.

Not only in China, Xu descendants have also made key roles in the history of the Philippines.





Now,  Xu descendants  are  all over the world, from the continents of Asia to the Americas, and to Europe and down-under Australia. With Xu family associations in the  Philippines &  Malaysia to give fellow Xu zhong-chin accommodation when they visit these countries.  Thus be proud of your rich heritage by knowing and getting more involved with your family association in your country.

These   are pronunciations in different Chinese dialects of our family name.   To let you know that even our surname may sound different or spelled different, we are still family if we bear the same Chinese character as surname.

Official China Pronunciation (Han Gui Phing Im) : Xu
Mandarin Pronunciation : Hsu, Tsu, Tse
Fukien/Taiwanese Pronunciation : Kho, Co, Ko
Hong Kong Cantonese Pronunciation : Hui
                                                                                                               << BACK TO MAIN