The surname Su is ranked 273rd in the "Hundred Surnames." In the ranking of surnames by population nationwide in 2007, it was outside the top 300.
Notable historical figures with the surname Su
Su Jing
(239-303), a calligrapher of the Western Jin Dynasty. His courtesy name was You'an. He was from Longle, Dunhuang (now Dunhuang, Gansu). He served as a secretary of the Ministry, governor of Yumen and Jiuyuan, and left general. He was well-versed in Confucian classics and history, diligent in study, and wrote "Su Zi" and "The Situation of Cursive Script." He was skilled in regular script and running script, and devoted special effort to zhang cao (clerical cursive script). Although no original ink works have been passed down, there are many engraved copies such as "Yueyi Tie," "Chushi Song," and "Qiyue Nijiri Tie." Among these, "Yueyi Tie" is the most famous.
Su Yuanli
(?-691), a cruel official of the Tang Dynasty. He was a Hu person, and his origin is unknown. During Wu Zetian's reign, he submitted an anonymous letter to accuse others of treason, which led to his promotion to the rank of General of the Mobile Troops. He set up an institution in Luozhou to investigate those accused of plotting against the state, implemented various brutal punishments, and ordered the victims to implicate innocent people widely, resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent people. He was rewarded by Wu Zetian. Later, officials like Junchen and Zhou Xing followed his example, creating a severe atmosphere of fear. Eventually, Wu Zetian had him arrested and punished to quell public outrage.
Su Lu Hui
(? - 28), a leader of a peasant uprising in the Eastern Han Dynasty, from Dongping. He was one of the organizers and commanders of the "Wuyan Victory."
In the late Western Han Dynasty, land consolidation became increasingly serious, with nobles, officials, and landlords owning vast tracts of fertile land while peasants had no place to stand, intensifying class conflicts. By the end of the Western Han Dynasty, large-scale peasant uprisings broke out. In 18 AD, Fan Chong of Langya led the Red Eyebrow Uprising, and people across Shandong responded. At that time, the area of Dongping suffered continuous floods, destroying fields and houses, with dead bodies scattered everywhere. The disaster-stricken people elected Su Lu Hui as their leader to respond to the Red Eyebrow Uprising. Su Lu Hui was generous and righteous, enjoying great prestige locally. He gathered three or four hundred people, attacked Wuyan County, killed the county magistrate, opened the granaries, and raised the banner of rebellion.
In 22 AD, Wang Mang sent Taishi Wang Kuang and Gengshi General Lian Dan with ten thousand troops from Chang'an to attack Shandong. On their way, they committed mass murder, looting, and other crimes. When Wang Mang's army reached the area of Dongping, "hundreds of camps were set up, and the sound of drums could be heard for dozens of miles," surrounding Wuyan County tightly. Su Lu Hui sent someone to contact the Red Eyebrow Army, and Fan Chong immediately led several ten thousand soldiers to support. The Red Eyebrow Army and Su Lu Hui's forces attacked from both inside and outside, cooperating effectively and defeating Wang Mang's army at Wuyan, killing General Lian Dan and forcing General Wang Kuang to flee in disgrace. This battle is historically known as the "Wuyan Victory." There is a large oil painting of the "Wuyan Victory" in the Beijing History Museum, realistically depicting the heroic scene of the rebels fighting bravely at that time.
Su Lu Fang
His courtesy name was Junyang. He was from Dongjun. He taught more than a thousand people in the "Book of Documents." Initially, he was appointed as a subordinate official of the prefecture. During the Gengshi period, envoys traveled through the states, and when the prefect was about to be executed, Fang stepped forward and said, "Today, the people suffer under Wang's rule and long for the Han because of the benevolent governance. However, we have not heard of any mercy along the way. I do not dare to speak of the prefect's execution, but I am afraid that the people will become frightened and develop doubts. It is better to use the guilty than to punish them. I beg to take the prefect's place." He then approached to be executed. The envoy was moved by his integrity and pardoned him, making him famous.
In the sixth year of Jianwu, he was summoned as the magistrate of Luoyang, and he gained a reputation for his ability. Due to illness, he requested to resign. He was later appointed as a counselor, often offering loyal advice. Later, due to illness, he resigned.
At the end of the Jianwu period, he was summoned again but did not come. Emperor Guangwu sent someone to carry him, and he was seen in the Nanguan YunTai Pavilion. He was given 2,000 hu of grain, sent back home, and his son was appointed as a palace attendant to the crown prince. He died at home.
Su Chang
A scholar of the Northern Wei Dynasty, his courtesy name was Juzhen. He was appointed as the governor of Fufeng. While in office, he lived frugally and pursued the Dao, and many aristocratic youths from the capital followed him to study.
Others
Other notable people with the surname Su include Su Ban, a minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty; Su Dan and Su Lin, ministers of the Jin Dynasty; generals Su Chen; Su Pan, a minister of the Former Liang during the Sixteen Kingdoms; historian Su Sui; general Su Xian of the Western Liang; writer Su Chang of the Northern Liang; minister Su Zitong of the Later Tang in the Five Dynasties; and minister Su Xiang of the Song Dynasty. Modern and contemporary notable people with the surname Su include General Su Libo of the People's Liberation Army, medical expert Su Jingxian, editor Su Pengfei, painter and calligrapher Su Fan, singer Su Baoli, and others. Additionally, there is Su Chao, the "Rapid先锋" (Quick Pioneer) in the "Water Margin."
