Surname Overview
A Rare Han Chinese Surname
Wei (Wěi) is a relatively rare Han Chinese surname today. It is geographically widespread but has few bearers.
Wei Surname
Surname profileWei / Wei
Origins
Derived from an Official Post
The Wei surname derives from the Zhouli office of Weiren, whose holder managed stored provisions; descendants adopted the hereditary office as their surname.
Historical Records
Textual Attestations
The Zheng Tongzhi, Shizulüe records the Wei surname and states that the Weiren managed stored provisions and that descendants took Wei as their surname; the Fengsu Tong also preserves this account.
Migration and Distribution
Modern Distribution
The Wei surname is found in Fuping and Laoting in Hebei, and in Taiyuan, Yangquan, Yuncheng, and Linfen in Shanxi.
Notable People
Han and Song Figures
In the Han dynasty, Wei Jin served as governor of Taiyuan; the Song dynasty had Wei Qi.
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