Yemu Clan

Overview

The Yemu clan is a Manchu surname recorded in Volume 53 of the officially compiled *Comprehensive Genealogy of Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, scattered throughout Yehe and other areas. The Bayanga branch of the Bordered White Banner submitted to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Their son, Engede, served as acting commander in campaigns in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan, earning the title of Yunqiwei (a military rank). After his death, his son, Niuniu, inherited the title. Commander was a military and political official of the Eight Banners; the appointment indicated the rank. Yunqiwei was a hereditary title awarded for merit.

The Heshi branch of the Bordered White Banner originated in Heersu and submitted to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty, noting their transfer from the Plain Yellow Banner. Their son, Wunuchun, served as Vice Minister of Rites; their grandson, Wumin, served as assistant department director (*yuanwailang*); Aiyinpu served as Clerk; and their great-grandson, Wushitu, was a *juren* (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations). The Vice Minister of Rites participated in ritual and other government affairs; the Clerk handled official documents; and *juren* was a title obtained through the imperial examinations, not proof of official appointment.

The Mangjia branch of the Plain Yellow Banner resided in Yehe. They served as officials such as Langzhong (a mid-level official), and their descendants included Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet concurrently serving as Vice Minister of Rites and Grand Readers of the Inner Cabinet. These records indicate that members of this surname held hereditary military positions, while others entered central civil service and the imperial examination system; the entire clan cannot be represented by a single military post. The kinship relationships between branches, the dates of reassignment of branches, and the official resumes of officials still require verification.