Mai Surname

Surname Overview

A Prominent Lingnan Surname

Mai is a typical surname of the Lingnan region of China. Its settlements cover the Pearl River Delta and the Leizhou Peninsula, and it is also distributed overseas.

Reference: 麦氏（姓氏）_百度百科

Origins

The Maiqiu Origin Tradition

One tradition traces the surname to the Spring and Autumn period: Duke Huan of Qi visited Maiqiu, and after an elderly resident offered birthday congratulations, he was enfeoffed there. His descendants removed “qiu” and adopted Mai as their surname.

Reference: 麦姓起源分布与家谱家族

The Qu Lineage and Imperial Surname Grant

Another tradition holds that the family of Qu Yun moved to Nanxiong to avoid the wars of the Five Hu peoples. In the Sui dynasty, his descendant Qu Raofeng, namely Mai Tiezang, received a surname change, forming the Mai clan lineage.

Reference: 麦氏（姓氏）_百度百科

Migration and Distribution

Migration into Lingnan

During the Ming and Qing periods, the Mai clan migrated southward on a large scale from Zhuji Lane to the Pearl River Delta. Cantonese was the main language in Lingnan, alongside Holo and Hakka.

Reference: 麦氏（姓氏）_百度百科

Notable People

Mai Tiezang

Mai Tiezang was a Sui dynasty general. He took part in suppressing the rebellion of Yang Liang, Prince of Han, became governor of Runan, and died in battle during the 612 campaign against Goguryeo.

Reference: 麦氏（姓氏）_百度百科

Research Notes

Genealogical Records Require Qualification

Some genealogical records concerning lineages, offices, and place names contain suspected errors. These details are explicitly left as uncertain because no verifiable original has been found.

Reference: 麦氏（姓氏）_百度百科