余氏圖騰釋義 

【釋義】 余，為合體象物字，與「舍」同義。學者徐中舒認為：「其形狀像以木柱支撐屋頂之房舍，為原始人的住宅」。《說文解字》則記載：「余，語之舒也」，其讀音與「余」相同。 

【起源】 春秋時期，秦國有一位大夫名叫由余，他的祖先是晉國人，因避亂逃到西北部的戎族（古代民族名）。他原本在戎族做官，後來歸降秦國，受到秦穆公的禮遇和重用。在公元前623年討伐戎王的戰役中，他為秦國（都城在今陝西鳳翔東南）擴張疆域、稱霸西戎做出了重大貢獻。其後代子孫以他的名字為姓氏，形成了「由」與「余」二姓。

• 得姓始祖： 由余

• 始祖地： 陝西鳳翔

• 郡望堂號： 下邳、新安；清嚴堂

• 當今排序／人口： 第40位／約633萬

• 宋版百家姓排序： 第90位

• 現存家譜： 402部

Interpretation of the Yu Clan Totem 

[Definition] "Yu" (余) is a compound pictograph representing an object, sharing the same original meaning as "She" (舍 - shelter/house). Scholar Xu Zhongshu noted: "It depicts a primitive dwelling where wooden pillars support a roof." The Shuowen Jiezi defines it as "an easy extension of speech," noting its pronunciation.

[Origin] During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a high official in the State of Qin named You Yu. His ancestors were from the State of Jin but fled to the Rong (an ancient ethnic group in the northwest) to escape turmoil. He originally served as an official for the Rong but later defected to the State of Qin, where he was treated with great respect and held in high regard by Duke Mu of Qin. In the campaign against the King of Rong in 623 BC, he made significant contributions to expanding Qin's territory (capital located southeast of present-day Fengxiang, Shaanxi) and establishing its dominance over the Western Rong tribes. His descendants adopted his name as their surname, forming the two distinct clans of "You" (由) and "Yu" (余).

• Ancestral Founder: You Yu

• Ancestral Homeland: Fengxiang, Shaanxi

• Prefectural Seats (Junwang) and Hall Names: Xiapi, Xin'an; Qingyan Hall

• Current Ranking / Population: 40th / Approx. 6.33 million

• Song Dynasty "Hundred Family Surnames" Rank: 90th

• Extant Genealogical Records: 402 volumes