History of our clan

History of Our Clan

Note: Names and places noted in article are Mandarin pronunciation.

Out ancestry dates back to the Emperor Shun, circa 2318 B.C., who was descendant of Huang-Ti, the "yellow Emperor" of Ancient China ( 3000 B.C.).

Emperor Shun was born in Liek-San (San-Tung, China), and was known for his filial devotion to his partents as well as hfor his other managerial talents in farming, fishing, and pottery making. He was selected by Emperor Yao for sucession to the throne. His reign was characterized by peace, prosperity, and general enlightment.

The Gee Hok Oak Tin Association, which means Most Filial Association, was named after Emperor Yao and stands for continual adherence to moral principles. The Lick-San Lodge, an auxiliary club of each branch association, was named after his birth place.

Emperor Shun selected Yu to succeed him, thus starting a four hundred year hereditary rule by the Hsai dynasty (1994-1523 B.B.). This was followed by five hundred years of Shang Dynasty (1523-1027 B.C.), whose last Emperor, a tyrant, was overthrown by Wu-Wang, who established the Chow Dynasty (1027-256 B.C.).

During the Chow Dynasty, Mon-Kung, a thirty-fourth descendant of Emperor Shun, was reqraded by the principality Chen, south of the Yellow River. He adopted Chen (same as Chan or Chin) as a surname. When he died, he was post-humorously awarded the title of Hu-Kung, hence the origin of Hu (also Woo or Wu) as a surname.

Elevent gnerations later, Yuen-Tu-Tu, the forty-fifth descendant of Emperor Shun, served as a vizier of the principality of Chen. His descendants chose Yuen, rather than Chen as their surname; this was approximately 1256-221 B.C.

Aside from Chan, Woo and Yuen, the following surnames also belong to our clan: Yao, Yu, Tien, Sun, Loke, Wang, and Che.

In America, The Chin Wing Cheun Benevolent Associations Inc. is organized by the Chans. The Gee How Oak Tin Association is organized by Chans, Woos and Yuens. In Philippines, The Wei Due Association is organized by Yaos, Yas, Chans, Wus and Tiens. In Hong Kong, Macao and other countries all over the world, associations are organized individually by the aforementioned surnames.