Surname Overview
The surname Wei is pronounced Wèi. It is currently uncommon but widely distributed, and is found among both Han and Mongolian people.
Wèi Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 59,308Wèi / Wei
Historical Records
Han-Dynasty Attestation
The Jinshi Lue of the Xu Tongzhi, citing the Yisi Zhan, records: “Han Mo Yang, knowledgeable in astronomy.” This places the surname in records no later than the Han dynasty, without explaining its origin.
Tang-Era Tibetan Attestation
The Xing Shi Kao Lue, citing the Tang Shu, records that the Tibetan figure Shang Kongre had the surname Wei and the given name Nongli; Wei was also written “Mo.” The text also records Wei Xiangwen in the Five Dynasties period.
Documentary Record
The Xu Tongzhi: Clan Records includes the surname Wei.
Migration and Distribution
Current Distribution
The surname is recorded in Wuqing in Tianjin; Qingyuan and Jianping in Liaoning; Jingxian, Shexian, and Huolu in Hebei; Laohekou in Hubei; and Gaoyao in Guangdong.
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Surname attestation references
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