Wei Surname

Surname Overview

Surname Pronunciation

The surname Wei has two reported pronunciations, “wei” and “yu.” “Wei” is generally regarded as the mainstream pronunciation today, while some people in Shandong still pronounce it “yu.”

Reference: 蔚姓氏读什么(尉当姓氏时念wei还是yu)

Origins

Origin of the Surname

The Wei surname is classified as originating from a place-name. It arose from Weizhou and traces its ancestry to Prince Pian of Zheng; his descendants adopted the fief's name as their surname.

Reference: 中国百家姓一一366 蔚姓

Historical Records

Documentary Record

The Xing Shi Kao Lue records that the surname originated from a place-name and had a prominent branch in Langya; it also records a form written as “尉” with the grass radical removed.

Reference: 中国百家姓一一366 蔚姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery Prestige

The Wei surname's prominent lineage was based in Langya Commandery, now corresponding to Zhucheng in Shandong Province.

Reference: 中国百家姓一一366 蔚姓

Migration and Distribution

The Wei surname mainly developed in northern China. In the early Song dynasty, the father and son Wei Xing and Wei Zhaomin were from Xiangfu, present-day Kaifeng in Henan. Wei clanspeople are distributed across Shandong, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Shanxi, and other areas.

Reference: 中国百家姓一一366 蔚姓

Notable People

Historical Figure

Wei Xing was a military officer of the Song dynasty who followed Emperor Taizong of Song in attacking Taiyuan and gained military merit.

Reference: 中国百家姓一一366 蔚姓