The Pei Family#

Surname: Pei, pronounced as “péi”

Distribution of the Pei Family#

The Pei family originated from Hedong Commandery, which was established during the Qin Dynasty. This region is roughly equivalent to the area around Xia County in present-day Shanxi Province, east of the Yellow River.

Origins of the Pei Surname#

There are several theories regarding the origin of the Pei surname:

1. According to “Mingxian Shizú Yánxíng Lèi Gǎo,” the Pei family descended from the Ying clan and were descendants of Boyi. A descendant of Qin Feizi was granted the title of Marquis of Peixiang, and thus the surname Pei was established. Peicheng in present-day Wenxi County is considered the ancestral home of the Pei family.
2. As recorded in “Tongzhi·Shizú Lüè,” during the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Ping of Jin granted a descendant of Zhuanxu the title of Marquis of Peizhong (north of present-day Qishan County, Shaanxi Province), and from this lineage the Pei surname emerged.
3. Another theory suggests that the Pei surname originated during the Zhou Dynasty in the state of Qin. The ancestor Qin Feizi was granted a fiefdom, and his descendants adopted the name of the city as their surname.

Ancestors of the Pei Family

The ancestor of the Pei family is Boyi, a wise man from the time of Shun over 4,000 years ago. According to “Tongzhi·Shizú Lüè,” the Pei family descended from Boyi, who was granted the fiefdom of Feixiang. Later, when their descendants moved to another location, they removed the character for “fiefdom” from their surname and adopted the character for “clothing,” thus forming the surname Pei.

Honorary Titles

The Pei family also has the honorary title of “Luye Tang” (Green Field Hall), which was established by Pei Du during the Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, when the military governor of Huai and Cai defied the imperial orders, Pei Du advocated for the continuation of the campaign. He was subsequently appointed as Vice Prime Minister and led the troops to defeat the rebels, earning the title of “Duguogong” (Commander of the State).

Migration and Distribution

The Pei surname has not made it into the top 100 most common surnames in mainland China or Taiwan. At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, political corruption and widespread warfare led to social unrest and economic devastation. Ethnic minorities such as the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Di, Jie, and Qiang migrated inland due to oppression. In 304 AD, the Xiongnu noble Liu Yuan declared independence and established the Han dynasty with its capital in Pingyang (present-day Jindian, Linfen). After Liu Yuan’s death, his son Liu Cong launched campaigns that resulted in the defeat of the Jin army and the capture of Emperor Huai. Liu Yao later captured Luoyang and caused widespread destruction. During the years of famine and disease that followed, many people fled to other regions, including those from the Pei family in Hedong Commandery. The Pei family spread throughout China and settled in various places, with a significant presence in the northern part of present-day Xia County, Shanxi Province.

The Pei family venerates Boyi as the progenitor of their surname and regards his mausoleum as the ancestral shrine.

Family Halls

One of the notable family halls is “Luye Tang,” which was built by Pei Du during the Tang Dynasty.

The Pei family has a history of perseverance and expansion. Their ancestors migrated from their original homeland in Hedong Commandery to other parts of China and even overseas, contributing to Chinese civilization throughout the world. Their spirit of innovation and expansion has led them to settle in numerous regions, leaving their mark wherever there is Chinese culture.