Surname Mei - Meaning and Origin
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Mei: What does the surname Mei mean?
The surname Mei is of Chinese origin, and is derived from the ancient state of Mei, located near the current city of Handan in Hebei Province. Mei is believed to be one of the oldest states in Chinese history, and is thought to have been established during the Xia dynasty from c. 2100 to c. 1600 BC. The surname Mei and its variants are common throughout the Chinese diaspora, and is believed to have been taken by people who were descended from the original state of Mei.
Mei is believed to mean “the devil’s tail” in Chinese, but this interpretation may vary depending on the context. It can also be interpreted as “plum,” indicating a plum blossom symbolizing nobility or grace. In addition, as with many Chinese surnames, Mei can also be interpreted as having multiple meanings and implicative relationships with several cultural symbols. For example, some Chinese researchers suggest that the Mei family has some connection to the pear flower, which is considered to be a symbol of longevity and good luck.
The surname Mei can also be a sign of good fortune and success. In China, it is associated with success in business and wealth. Additionally, in Mandarin Chinese, the word Mei is often used to denote something that is small, delicate, and precious, which implies that someone with the surname Mei may be considered equally small, delicate and precious.
Overall, Mei is a culturally significant surname with various possible meanings and suggests a strong connection to ancient Chinese history. It has also been known to be associated with good fortune, success and long life.
Order DNA origin analysisMei: Where does the name Mei come from?
The last name Mei is found mainly in China and other East Asian countries, especially Taiwan and Japan. It is also found in other parts of the world such as North America, Europe and Australia.
The Mei surname is generally thought to have originated in the Jiangsu province of China. It is believed to have come from the Xia state during the Zhou Dynasty. Many variant spellings of the last name Mei exist, including Mei, Miei, Meei and Meie.
Currently, there are an estimated 1.2 million people with the surname Mei in China. It is the ninth most common last name in the country. It is particularly prominent in the Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Hunan and Sichuan provinces.
Outside of East Asia, Mei can be found in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Canada, the United States and other countries. People of Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese descent are the most common groups to have the last name Mei throughout the world. It is also found in other ethnic groups with significant East Asian population groups, such as Russian and Vietnamese.
In recent years, the last name Mei has been becoming increasingly more popular due to its positive connotations. It can be associated with great wealth and power, loyalty and wisdom. As a result, many people have begun to adopt the surname Mei as a way of embodying those qualities.
Variations of the surname Mei
The Mei surname originates from China and is one of the most common family names. It can be spelled in multiple ways, including Mei, Mëi, and Mèi. Mei is derived from the Chinese character 美, which means “beauty” or “handsome.” Mei is also a respected surname that is considered to have a distinguished lineage of successful tradesmen, scholars, and warriors.
Variants of the Mei surname include Mēi, Mâi, Mêi, Məi, and Mī. The Mêi spelling is from a highly regarded family that traces its lineage back to the emperor of the first dynasty in Chinese history. Məi is from a northerner Xinjiang, or the Xinjiang Uyghurs. In Japan, the Mei surname is spelled Mêi, and in Korea, it is Mî.
Surnames that have the same roots as Mei include Ma, Mo, and Moon. Ma is an old Chinese word that means “horse” and is also a very popular surname. Mo is from the Chinese character 末, which means “end” and is a name derived from a servant’s family name. Moon is an indirect variation of Mei as it is derived from the Chinese character 梅, which literally translates to “plum tree”.
Mei is a celebrated surname all over East Asia and has a long history. It is a surname that is often associated with bravery, intelligence, and entrepreneurship. It is a testament to the legacy of the first Mei family to have left such an everlasting imprint.
Famous people with the name Mei
- Mei Changsu: a famous character from the television show “Empresses in the Palace”.
- Mei Fong: Chinese-American author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist best known for her book “One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment”.
- Mei Lanfang: famous Chinese opera singer and actor who founded the Mei School, the first school for Beijing opera.
- Mei Qi: Chinese-American actress and singer known for her roles in the Mandarin-language films “You Are the Apple of My Eye” and “Our Times”.
- Xu Mei Ju: Singaporean model, actress and television host who won the title “Forbes Young Entertainment Professional of the Year” in 2006.
- Mei Yamaguchi: Japanese mixed martial artist, kickboxer and pro-wrestler who is the current Deep Jewels atomweight champion.
- Mei Ying: legendary Chinese martial artist who created a new style called “Soft Taming the Tiger”.
- Meng Mei: Taiwanese actor, singer and video game commentator who has appeared in several movies and television shows.
- Yong Mei: Chinese actress and model best known for her roles in the movies “Operation Red Sea” and “Edge of Innocence”.
- Jun Mei: Singaporean singer-songwriter, actress and commercial model who has released several albums.