NomOrigine Background

Last Name Xue

What is the origin of the last name Xue?

The surname Xue (also spelled as Xu) is a Chinese family name and one of the most common in China. It comes from the ancient Chinese Xu Clan, which was one of the Five Clans of legend that settled in the Yellow River valley around 2000 BC during the early stages of Chinese civilization. The Xu Clan's territory was in modern-day Henan Province and it was also known as the state of Xucheng or Xudynasty. The surname Xue is believed to be derived from the name of this ancient clan.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Xue

The meaning and origin of the last name Xue

The surname Xue originates from China and is a part of the Han ethnicity's family names. In Chinese, Xue (薛) is pronounced as "Shuen" and is one of the 100 most common surnames in China. Its characters represent the snow crystal (雪) and a tree or plant (柒). The name has been traced back to the Shang Dynasty (16th–11th century BCE), where it was a noble surname. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), Xue was among the one hundred official family names recognized by the imperial court, reflecting its historical significance. Throughout Chinese history, people with the surname Xue have made notable contributions in various fields such as politics, literature, and arts. Today, the name is widespread across China and can also be found among overseas Chinese communities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Xue

The surname Xue, originating from China, is one of the most common in the country. It belongs to the Han ethnicity and is derived from the character '雪', meaning snow or frost. In terms of geographical distribution within China, it can be found predominantly in regions such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan, Shandong, and Guangdong provinces, as well as the municipalities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing. This wide distribution reflects the historical migration patterns of the Han ethnic group over centuries. Furthermore, Chinese immigrants to other countries, particularly North America and Australia, have also adopted the surname Xue, expanding its presence globally.

Variants and spellings of the last name Xue

The surname Xue, originating from China, has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and localization. Some common variants include Hsueh, Hsu, Hsieh, Hsiao, and Xie.

Hsueh is an older Wade-Giles transcription of the name, while Hsu and Hsieh are modern versions also derived from Wade-Giles. Hsiao is another variant, originating from the Pinyin system used in mainland China today.

Xie is a different surname altogether in Mandarin but phonetically similar to Xue, making it another possible spelling for this name. The Jyutping system of Cantonese transcription yields a similar-sounding name as Xu, although it is not the same Chinese character and thus should not be confused with Xue.

It's essential to note that there can be slight variations in pronunciation depending on regional accents and dialects across China. In other languages and cultures, the name may also have different transliterations and spellings.

Famous people with the last name Xue

Xue is a common Chinese surname and has produced several notable individuals in various fields. One of the most renowned is Xue Tao (790-823), a prominent poetess during the Tang Dynasty, known for her emotional and introspective verse. In modern times, Xue Rongji (1914-1995) was a Chinese economist who played a significant role in China's economic reforms. He served as a top advisor to several Chinese leaders and is considered one of the "Father Figures" of China's economic liberalization. Xue-Sheng Li (born 1948) is a renowned computer scientist, known for his work on parallel computing, distributed systems, and high-performance computing. Lastly, Xue Hanqin (born 1973), also known as Jessica Xue, is a Chinese-American concert violinist who has performed with numerous orchestras around the world. Her career has been marked by her passionate performances and dedication to promoting classical music.

Genealogical research on the last name Xue

The surname Xue, also spelled as Hsue, is of Chinese origin and belongs to the Han ethnic group. It is one of the most common family names in China, ranked third in terms of frequency. The surname's origin can be traced back to the Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BC), making it one of the oldest surnames in China. Over the centuries, several branches and clans have developed under this surname across different regions of China, including Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces. Notable individuals with the Xue surname include Xue Feng (a general during the Three Kingdoms period), Xue Qiluan (a mathematician who developed the Xue-Zhu algorithm), and Xue Tao (a renowned poet of the Tang Dynasty). The Xue family's history and traditions continue to be celebrated by its descendants both in China and across the world.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Xuereb (Last name)

surnames > xuereb

The surname Xuereb is of Maltese origin. It is derived from a place-name in Malta, specifically in the village of Żebbuġ, where it was first recorded as a family name in the 16th...