梅
Mei
Pronounced like: "May"
Other Spellings: Mui, Boi, Mai, Ume, Meay
Quick Facts
Origin and History of the Mei Family Name
Die Ursprünge des Nachnamens Mei lassen sich primär auf zwei Quellen zurückführen. Die erste stammt von dem Beamten Mei Bo aus der Shang-Dynastie, der für seine Integrität bekannt war; seine Nachkommen übernahmen seinen Namen als Familiennamen. Die zweite Quelle bezieht sich auf die Westliche Zhou-Dynastie, in der König Wu das Lehen Mei (im heutigen Anhui) an Nachkommen des Zi-Clans verlieh. Ein weiterer Zweig stammt von ethnischen Minderheiten in Südchina, die sich im Laufe der Jahrhunderte in die Han-Gesellschaft integrierten. Historisch migrierte der Clan von Zentralchina nach Süden und etablierte eine starke Präsenz in Provinzen wie Anhui, Jiangsu und Guangdong.
What Does the Chinese Surname Mei Mean?
Der Nachname „Mei“ (梅) bedeutet wörtlich „Pflaume“ oder „Pflaumenblüte“ (Prunus mume). In der chinesischen Kultur wird die Pflaumenblüte als einer der „Vier Edelleute“ der Pflanzen tief verehrt. Sie symbolisiert Ausdauer, Hoffnung und Reinheit, da sie in der harten Kälte des Winters blüht. Historisch gesehen trägt der Nachname Konnotationen von Eleganz und moralischer Integrität. Er wird oft mit Gelehrten und Künstlern in Verbindung gebracht, die die Widerstandsfähigkeit der Blume gegenüber Widrigkeiten bewundern. Als botanischer Nachname spiegelt er die alte chinesische Praxis wider, Namen aus der Natur zu übernehmen, was eine Verbindung zwischen der Familienlinie und den edlen Qualitäten der Natur bedeutet.
Global Pronunciation and Variants of Mei
| Variant | Primary Region |
|---|---|
| Mui | Cantonese |
| Boi | Hokkien |
| Mai | Vietnamese |
| Ume | Japanese |
| Meay | Common Anglicization |
Famous People With the Surname Mei
1. Mei Lanfang: Ein legendärer Peking-Oper-Darsteller, der die „Dan“-Rolle revolutionierte und das chinesische Theater weltweit bekannt machte.
2. Mei Bo: Ein loyaler Minister der Shang-Dynastie, der für seinen mutigen Widerstand gegen den tyrannischen König Zhou als Märtyrer berühmt wurde.
3. Mei Yaochen: Ein bedeutender Dichter der Nördlichen Song-Dynastie und Pionier eines realistischen Poesiestils, der den Alltag thematisierte.
Clan Motto
Traditional clan mottos for the 梅 surname emphasize virtues such as integrity, diligence, and respect for one's ancestors. While specific wording may vary across regions and historical branches of the family, the spirit of these mottos is to honor the family line and live with moral responsibility in everyday life.
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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ
What does the Chinese surname Mei (梅) mean?+
The surname 'Mei' (梅) literally translates to the 'plum' tree or blossom (Prunus mume). In Chinese culture, the plum blossom is deeply revered as one of the 'Four Gentlemen' of plants, symbolizing perseverance, hope, and purity because it blooms in the harsh cold of winter before other flowers. Historically, the surname carries connotations of elegance, moral integrity, and resilience. It is often associated with scholars and artists who admire the flower's ability to thrive against adversity. As a botanical surname, it reflects the ancient Chinese practice of adopting names from the natural world, signifying a connection between family lineage and the enduring, noble qualities of nature.
How common is the surname Mei?+
The surname Mei ranks approximately #136 among all Chinese surnames.
How do you pronounce the surname 梅?+
In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Mei. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "May".
How many Chinese surnames are there?+
Historically, there are over 4,000 Chinese surnames, but only about 500 are in common use today. Our database covers these 500+ essential family names.
What are the most common Chinese last names?+
The most common Chinese last names are Wang (王), Li (李), and Zhang (张). Together, they account for over 20% of the population in China.
Are Chinese names written surname first?+
Yes, in Chinese culture, the surname is written first, followed by the given name. For example, in 'Li Shimin', 'Li' is the family name.
How can I find the meaning of my Chinese last name?+
Every Chinese surname has a distinct meaning rooted in ancient clans, professions, or elements. You can search our directory to find the specific origin of your name.
What is the 'Hundred Family Surnames' (Baijiaxing)?+
The 'Hundred Family Surnames' (百家姓) is a classic Chinese text compiling common surnames. Originally containing over 400 last names, it is a foundational piece of Chinese cultural identity.
Are there two-character Chinese surnames?+
Yes. While most are single-character (like Wang or Li), there are compound surnames (复姓 - Fùxìng) consisting of two characters, such as Ouyang (欧阳), Zhuge (诸葛), and Sima (司马).
Do Chinese women change their last name after marriage?+
Traditionally, no. Chinese women keep their maiden surname after marriage. It is very rare for a wife to adopt her husband's last name in Chinese culture.
What is the oldest Chinese surname?+
The oldest Chinese surnames often contain the 'woman' radical (女), such as Ji (姬), Jiang (姜), and Yao (姚), tracing back thousands of years to ancient matriarchal societies.
Why do so many people share the same Chinese last name?+
Due to centuries of population growth, clan consolidations, and the historical adoption of imperial surnames, a massive portion of the population now shares a small pool of common last names.
How are Chinese last names inherited?+
A Chinese surname is almost universally inherited from the father, maintaining the patrilineal clan lineage spanning dozens of generations.