The Lei Family#

Surname: Lei, Pronunciation: léi

Distribution of the Lei Family#

Fengyi Commandery: In the first year of the Taichu era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (104 BCE), the administrative region of “Zuo Fengyi” was established. Together with “You Fufeng” and “Jingzhao Yin,” it was known as the “Three Auxiliaries of the Capital Region.” During the Three Kingdoms period, Zuo Fengyi was elevated to the status of a commandery, with its administrative center located in Linjin (present-day Dali, Shaanxi Province). In the Northern Wei Dynasty, the capital was moved to Gaolu (present-day Gaoling, Shaanxi Province). This branch of the Lei family traces its origins to the descendants of Lei Huan from the Western Jin Dynasty.

Yuzhang Commandery: The Yuzhang Commandery was established during the Han Dynasty, with its capital in Nanchang (the current capital of Jiangxi Province), covering an area roughly corresponding to present-day Jiangxi. Over time, its jurisdiction narrowed to the vicinity of Nanchang. During the Sui Dynasty, Nanchang County was renamed Yuzhang County. In the later Tang Dynasty, it was renamed Zhongling County and then back to Nanchang.

Origins of the Lei Family#

The Lei surname has three possible origins:

1. From the Fang Lei clan: Descendants of Fang Lei, the ninth-generation grandson of the Yan Emperor (Shennong), adopted the name of their state as their surname. According to the “Yuanhe Xing Zuan” and “Tongzhi·Shi Zú Lüe,” Fang Lei was granted a fief at Fangshan (in the central-northern part of Henan Province, around the Songshan Mountains) by the Yellow Emperor for his military achievements, establishing a vassal state. His descendants adopted the name of their state as their surname, which later split into two branches: one branch took the surname Fang, and the other branch took the surname Lei.
2. From a minister of the Yellow Emperor named Lei Gong: Lei Gong was a renowned physician who discussed medical theories with the Yellow Emperor. According to the “Sù Wen·Zhù Zhì Jiāo Shū Lùn,” Lei Gong was a prominent figure in the Yellow Emperor’s court.
3. From other ethnic groups that adopted the surname Lei: During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the “?ど铰?” and “Nan An Qiang” tribes changed their surnames to Lei. Over time, they assimilated completely into the Han Chinese population. Additionally, during the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, other ethnic groups such as the Jurchens (A Dian), Manchus (Ake Zhan), Jingpo, Kino, and various ethnic minorities like the Zhuang, Miao, Yi, Yao, Shui, A Chang, She, Qiang, and Tuji also adopted the surname Lei.

Originator of the Surname: The founder of the Lei surname is Fang Lei.

When the Yellow Emperor campaigned against Chi You, Lei fought bravely, disregarding his own life to assist the Yellow Emperor in defeating Chi You. After the victory, Lei was granted a fief at Fangshan (around present-day Ye County, southern Henan Province and northeastern Fangcheng County). His descendants adopted the name of their state as their surname, which became the Lei family.

Migration and Distribution: The Lei family initially thrived in the Central Plains. During the Zhou to Qin dynasties (over 800 years), the Lei surname did not make significant historical appearances, possibly due to a lack of notable individuals with this surname. The various branches of the Lei family developed independently during this period, with distinct boundaries. Some branches moved to the regions of present-day Jiangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Sichuan. Over time, the Lei family grew into prominent clans in these areas. During the Tang Dynasty, some descendants of Lei Yi and Lei Tong became influential in Jiangxi, forming what was historically known as the “Lei Family of Yuzhang.” The surname spread further to the north and south, with branches in Fengyi (Dali, Shaanxi Province) and Yuzhang becoming prominent local clans. During the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Lei family continued to develop in both regions, with Fengyi and Yuzhang remaining the main origins. It was only after the Sui and Tang dynasties that these branches began to merge due to various factors. After the Tang and Song dynasties, the Lei surname became more widespread, with populations in Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, and other places. Some Lei descendants who migrated to the Jiangnan and Lingnan regions integrated into ethnic groups like the Miao, Yao, Yi, Dong, She, Zhuang, and Li. The Lei surname is particularly common among the Yao and She ethnic groups, with their own family histories and notable individuals.

Notable Figures:

• Lei Yi: A famous pharmacologist during the Southern Song Dynasty, known for his work “Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun” and other medical texts.
• Lei Xueqi: A scholar from Tongzhou (present-day Beijing), who compiled works on ancient texts and astronomy.

Characteristics of the Lei Family:

• Historically, the Lei family has produced many talented individuals, including scientists, scholars, high-ranking military and political officials, and exemplary figures, such as the great communist warrior Lei Feng.
• The Lei surname originated in the north but became prominent in the south, making it a typical southern surname.
• The genealogical order of the family name is well-organized, as recorded in the “Lei Shi Zú Pu” compiled by Lei Chongmin in the 28th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty.

Honorary Titles for the Lei Family:

• Qianrang Tang: Honorary title given to Lei Yi and Chen Chong, who were close friends and both recognized for