Our ancestry dates back to Emperor Shun (帝舜), circa 2318 B.C., who was a descendant of Huang-Ti (黃帝), the “Yellow Emperor” of Ancient China (3000 B.C.).
Emperor Shun was born in Lick-San (歷山) (San-Tung, China), and was known for his filial devotion to his parents as well as for his other managerial talents in farming, fishing, and pottery making. He was selected by Emperor Yao (帝舜) for succession to the throne. His reign was characterized by peace, prosperity, and general enlightenment.
The Gee How Oak Tin Association (至孝篤親公所), which means Most Filial Association, was named after Emperor Yao and stands for continual adherence to moral principles. The Lick-San Lodge (歷山寄廬), an auxiliary club of each association, was named after his birth place.
Emperor Shun selected Yu (禹) to succeed him, thus starting a four hundred (400) year hereditary rule by the Hsai Dynasty (夏朝) (1994-1523 B.C.). This was followed by five hundred (500) years of Shang Dynasty (商朝) (1523-1027 B.C.), whose last Emperor, a tyrant, was overthrown by Wu-Wang (武王), who established the Chow Dynasty (周朝) (1027-256 B.C.).
During the Chow Dynasty, Mon-Kung (滿公), a thirty-four (34) descendant of Emperor Shun (舜帝), was rewarded by the principality Chen (陳邑), south of the Yellow River. He adopted Chen (陳) (same as Chan or Chin) as a surname. When he died, he was post-humorously awarded the title of Hu-Kung (胡公), hence the origin of Hu (胡) (also Woo or Wu) as a surname.
Eleven generations later, Yuen-Tu-Tu (袁濤塗), the forty-fifth (45) descendant of Emperor Shun, served as a vizier of the principality of Chen. His descendents chose Yuen (袁), 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 (姚), Yu (虞), Tien (田), Sun (孫), Loke (陸), Wang (王), and Che (車).
In America, The Chin Wing Cheun Benevolent Association Inc. (陳穎川堂) is organized by the Chans. The Gee How Oak Tin Association is organized by Chans, Woos and Yuens. In Philippines, the Wei Due Association (媯汭五姓聯宗總會) is organized by Yaos (姚), Yas (虞), Chans (陳), Wus (胡) and Tiens (田). In Hong Kong, Macao and other countries all over the world, associations are organized individually by the aforementioned surnames.
(1) According to p. 132, The Chan Clan General Association Journal, Hong Kong, 1957
（香港陳氏宗親總會會刊“媯汭年鑑”第一期）
(2) All data, with the exception of (1), are obtained from Encyclopedia Britannica, History section, China (大英百科全書中國歷史章).