Surname Overview
A Rare Surname
Qi is a relatively rare surname currently found among both Han and Lisu people.
qī Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 4,150qī
Origins
Tibetan Branch
During the Ming period, bearers of the Qi surname served as native military officers in Zhongdian Subprefecture and in Shigu, Zhongjiang, and other places northwest of Lijiang County in Yunnan; all were Tibetan.
Historical Records
Ming-Era Attestation
The earliest attestation of the Qi surname is in the Ming-era Wanxing Tongpu. It is also included in the Xu Tongzhi Shizulue under the entering-tone category.
Migration and Distribution
Modern Distribution
The Qi surname is found in Lushui in Yunnan, Tacheng in Xinjiang, Yangquan and the Lüliang region in Shanxi, as well as Shangyu in Zhejiang and Wujin in Jiangsu.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Known bearers include Qi Nalou of the Northern Wei; Qi Xixian, a Ming native of Shizhou Guard who served as instructor of Yongchun County in Fujian during the Zhengde era; and Qi Yulin, a Tibetan native military officer in Zhongdian Subprefecture, Yunnan.
Research Notes
Uncertain Origin
The Wanxing Tongpu records the Qi surname, but its origin is unknown.
Continue your family research
Start with ancestral counties, villages, personal names and dates. Record genealogy titles, volumes, editions and catalog identifiers. A shared surname does not prove a shared lineage; compare branch records.
Surname attestation references
These catalogs or datasets attest written names, not every origin or lineage claim on this page.
This page includes automatically organized material. Check the references and original family documents.
Add or correct information
Submit the information and a reference link for possible inclusion on this page.