Surname Overview
Surname Origins Overview
The Wei surname mainly originated from the Gui and Ji surnames.
Wei Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 436,878Wei / Wei
Origins
The Ji Branch
The Ji-branch Wei surname derives from Kangshu, the uterine brother of King Wu of Zhou, who was enfeoffed in the state of Wei; after Wei was destroyed, his descendants adopted the state name as their surname.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestations
Texts record Wei as a surname derived from a state name and also mention a Wei lineage among the Xianbei of Changli.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies and Hall Names
Wei surname commanderies include Hedong, Chenliu, and Liaodong; recorded hall names include Chenliu Hall, Hedong Hall, and Liaodong Hall.
Migration and Distribution
Before the Qin period, the Wei surname was active in Henan; in the Song dynasty it was mainly distributed across Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanxi, Hubei, and Zhejiang, while in the Ming dynasty it formed an outward-spreading distribution centered on Shanxi.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Historical figures with the Wei surname include Wei Zifu and Wei Qing of the Western Han, Wei Hong of the Eastern Han, Wei Jie of the Western Jin, and Wei Jing of the Southern Song.
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Surname attestation references
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