在台灣，新竹及苗栗地區史料中不乏關於「頭北船」與本地商鋪貿易的資料，本研究透過田野訪查與族譜調查將新竹、苗栗沿海地區惠安頭北人的分布區域以地圖方式呈現其空間自明性。透過頭北話在竹苗沿海地區使用的區域特色，交集高空間密度媽祖信仰的區域特色，其所交集之地區涵蓋新竹市香山鹽水港、苗栗縣竹南崎頂與中港、到通霄白沙屯地區及宛裡街區，所列的區域與新竹、苗栗沿海惠安頭北裔社群的分布範圍吻合。

During the Qing dynasty, there were many historical recordings made, particularly among indigenous trading companies, Toubei ship merchants in the coastal areas of Hsinchu and Miaoli. The study uses materials of this fieldwork, and collects family pedigree in order to uncover the distribution of Hui’an Toubei descendants in the study area. Mapping method was then used to show the spatial identities of these materials. One of the regional characteristics is the Toubei accent of Southern Min, and the higher spatial density of Mazu temples in the coastal areas of Hsinchu and Miaoli. These interactive areas include Yianshuigang, Qiting, Zhong’gang, Baishatun and downtown of Yuanli regions. These regions also contain the highest population density of Toubei descendants in Taiwan.