财 Surname

Surname Overview

Cai (財) is currently a relatively rare surname, recorded with the pronunciation cái. It is included in the Xinbian Qian Jia Xing and is first seen in the Xingyuan.

Reference: 财姓_财姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Religious Origin

One tradition states that merchant families adopted the surname Cai through devotion to the God of Wealth, pronounced cái.

Reference: 财姓_财姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Zhou-Era Office Origin

One branch derives from the Zhou royal financial official called Cairen. Descendants shortened Cairenshi to Cai, pronounced zài.

Reference: 财姓_财姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Han-to-Jin Office Origin

One branch derives from the Cai Guan general of the Han, Wei, and Jin periods. Descendants simplified Cai Guanshi to Cai, pronounced cái.

Reference: 财姓_财姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Hui Origin

One branch derives from the Sinicization of the religious office held by Halafuding Hatibu, the Yuan-era property administrator of Quanzhou Qingjing Mosque. His descendants formed the Cai surname, pronounced cái.

Reference: 财姓_财姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

郡望, Halls, and Distribution

The Cai surname is mainly associated with the Xiping and Jinjiang commanderies. Its halls include Xiping Hall and Jinjiang Hall, also called Quanzhou Hall or Licheng Hall. It is distributed in places including Qinghai, Fujian, and Taiwan.

Reference: 财姓_财姓的来源和历史_百家姓