Origins
Descendants of Prince Kaifang of Wey
One lineage derives from the Ji clan and descends from Kangshu, a son of King Wen of Zhou. Kangshu was enfeoffed in Wey, and collateral descendants of the Spring and Autumn prince Kaifang of Wey adopted the character 开 from his name as their surname.
Reference: 开姓|百家姓 - 查字典
Lineage Founded by Kai Zhao
In the early Southern Song, 开赵 was originally surnamed Zhao and changed his surname to Kai with the meaning of opening the nation's territory. His descendants honored him as their founding ancestor and formed the Kai lineage of Juye, Shandong.
Reference: 开姓_开姓的来源和历史_百家姓
Historical Records
Records and Historical Figures
The surname Kai is included in the clan-name sections of Zheng Tongzhi, Xu Tongzhi, and Qing Tongzhi. Recorded historical figures include 开章 of the Han, 开赵 of the Song, Ming Minister of Justice 开济, and Qing Liancheng County inspector 开仕.
Reference: 开姓_开姓的来源和历史_百家姓
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Ancestral Seats and Hall Names
Ancestral seats associated with the Kai surname include Longxi, Wantong, Kaifeng, and Juye. Hall names include Juye Hall, also called Linzhou Hall or Lunan Hall; Kaifeng Hall, also called Daliang Hall or Bianliang Hall; and Wantong Hall.
Reference: 开姓_开姓的来源和历史_百家姓
Migration and Distribution
Present-Day Distribution
The Kai surname has a small but geographically broad population, occurring in Shanghai, Anhui, Henan, Shandong, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Xinjiang. Its principal nationwide concentrations also include Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, Heilongjiang, Gansu, and Hunan.
Reference: 开姓_开姓的来源和历史_百家姓
Genealogy and Generation Names
Wantong Kai Genealogy and Generation Names
Tongcheng, Anhui, has the Wantong Kai Genealogy. Its generation sequence is “诗书宗先哲，文上世国家，昶大增厥祚，绵远耀金华，根深枝发秀，积厚德昭彰，为善多余庆，声名万代扬.” This branch has spread to several parts of Anhui and to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Gansu, Henan, Hubei, and Jiangxi.
Reference: 开姓_开姓的来源和历史_百家姓
