Cui

Pronounced like: "Tsway"

Other Spellings: Chui, Tsui, Choi, Thôi, Sui

Quick Facts

SurnameCui ()
Rank in China#56
Element (Wu Xing)Earth
Ancient RootJiang (姜)
Origin EraWestern Zhou Dynasty

Origin and History of the Cui Family Name

Le nom de famille Cui trouve principalement ses racines dans le clan Jiang (姜), descendant plus précisément du légendaire Jiang Ziya. Pendant la dynastie des Zhou occidentaux, Ji, le fils aîné du duc Ding de l'État de Qi, renonça à son droit de succession au trône en faveur de son frère cadet. Il s'installa dans son fief de Cui (actuellement Zhangqiu, province du Shandong), et ses descendants adoptèrent « Cui » comme nom de famille. Le clan Cui est devenu par la suite l'une des familles aristocratiques les plus prestigieuses du nord de la Chine, notamment les branches de Boling et Qinghe sous les dynasties Han et Tang.

What Does the Chinese Surname Cui Mean?

Le caractère « Cui » (崔) est composé du radical de la « montagne » (山) en haut et de celui de l'« oiseau » (隹) en bas. Sa signification littérale fait référence à un sommet montagneux imposant, noble ou majestueux. Historiquement, il symbolise la grandeur, la hauteur et la stabilité. Dans la littérature chinoise ancienne, il était fréquemment utilisé pour décrire un terrain escarpé et imposant, représentant une personne ou une lignée au caractère intègre et distingué, semblable à l'éminence d'un haut sommet montagneux dans un paysage.

Global Pronunciation and Variants of Cui

VariantPrimary Region
ChuiCantonese
TsuiHong Kong
ChoiKorean
ThôiVietnamese
SuiHakka

Famous People With the Surname Cui

1. Cui Hao (Dynastie Tang) : Un poète de renom, célèbre pour son chef-d'œuvre « Le Pavillon de la grue jaune », considéré comme l'un des plus grands poèmes de l'histoire chinoise.

2. Cui Shi (Han orientaux) : Un érudit et fonctionnaire éminent qui a rédigé le « Simin Yueling », un texte historique crucial documentant les cycles agricoles et les coutumes sociales anciennes.

3. Cui Yin (Han orientaux) : Un homme de lettres et historien distingué, connu pour ses prouesses littéraires et ses contributions à la vie politique et intellectuelle de la cour des Han.

Clan Motto

Traditional clan mottos for the 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.

Looking for a Chinese Name with the Surname Cui?

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Chinese Surnames & Last Names FAQ

What does the Chinese surname Cui (崔) mean?+

The character 'Cui' (崔) is composed of the 'mountain' (山) radical on top and the 'bird' (隹) radical on the bottom. Its literal meaning refers to a towering, lofty, or majestic mountain peak. Historically, it symbolizes grandeur, height, and stability. In ancient Chinese literature, it was frequently used to describe steep and imposing terrain, representing a person or lineage with an upright and distinguished character, akin to the prominence of a high mountain peak in a landscape.

How common is the surname Cui?+

The surname Cui ranks approximately #56 among all Chinese surnames.

How do you pronounce the surname 崔?+

In Mandarin Pinyin, it is written as Cui. For English speakers, it is pronounced similarly to "Tsway".

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.