Various Ru nanoparticles modified porous carbon substrates were prepared as hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts via chemical reduction in this work. Before obtaining the Ru-based catalysts, different carbon substrates, including lignin, straw and shaddock peel, were selected. The carbon substrates were oxidized and nitrogen-doped under ammonia gas to further increase the physicochemical properties. Then, the nitrogen doped lignin, straw and shaddock peel were used as substrates to fabricate various Ru-based composites, which were denoted as Ru@o-NL, Ru@o-NS and Ru@o-NSP. The HER performances of Ru@o-NL, Ru@o-NS and Ru@o-NSP were fully investigated in both acidic and alkaline conditions. Experimental results indicated that all the Rubased composites could catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction. Ru@o-NL showed better HER activity than that of the Ru@o-NS and Ru@o-NSP. The dosage of Ru could affect the HER activity. The Ru@o-NL with 8.0 wt % Ru loading has the best HER performance. The overpotentials (@ 10 mA cm(-2)) of the Ru@o-NL in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1.0 M KOH were 42 and 14 mV, respectively. The corresponding Tafel slopes were 32 and 59 mV dec(-1). It also had large exchange current density and good long term stability.