NameCensus.

UK surname

Wei

A Chinese surname meaning "great," "big," "vast," "deep," or "high," originating from a state in ancient China.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Westminster, Swansea and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wei is 364 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

364

2016, ranked #12,748

Peak year

2016

364 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 364 in 2016, ranked #12,748.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Wei surname distribution map

The map shows where the Wei surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Wei surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wei over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 47 #32,975
1998 modern 67 #31,282
1999 modern 69 #31,223
2000 modern 71 #31,082
2001 modern 68 #31,195
2002 modern 89 #29,428
2003 modern 123 #24,497
2004 modern 137 #23,098
2005 modern 166 #20,379
2006 modern 185 #19,204
2007 modern 214 #17,688
2008 modern 211 #17,997
2009 modern 236 #17,103
2010 modern 297 #14,841
2011 modern 291 #14,903
2012 modern 321 #13,836
2013 modern 342 #13,399
2014 modern 354 #13,153
2015 modern 358 #12,942
2016 modern 364 #12,748

Geography

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Where Weis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Westminster, Swansea, Barnet, Tower Hamlets and Sefton. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Westminster 009 Westminster
2 Swansea 023 Swansea
3 Barnet 032 Barnet
4 Tower Hamlets 021 Tower Hamlets
5 Sefton 036 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wei

These lists show first names that appear often with the Wei surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wei

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wei, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Wei surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Wei household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Wei is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wei is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wei falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wei is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

This describes the area pattern most associated with Wei, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Wei

The surname WEI originated in China and can be traced back to the 3rd century AD. It is derived from the Chinese word "wei," meaning "to guard" or "to protect." The name was initially given to individuals who served as guards or protectors in the imperial court or the military.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the WEI surname gained prominence as many military officers and officials bore this name. One notable figure was Wei Zheng (580-643 AD), a prominent statesman and scholar who served as the Chancellor of the Tang court.

In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the WEI surname was also associated with several prominent scholars and literati. For instance, Wei Ying-wu (737-792 AD) was a renowned poet and calligrapher whose works are still widely studied today.

The name WEI can be found in various historical records and manuscripts, including the "Hou Han Shu" (Book of the Later Han), which mentions several individuals with this surname during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD).

As the WEI surname spread across China, it evolved into different variations and spellings, such as Wei, Wey, and Wai. Some of these variations were influenced by local dialects and regional variations in pronunciation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the WEI surname can be found in the "Shiji" (Records of the Grand Historian), a monumental historical work compiled by Sima Qian in the 1st century BC. The book mentions several individuals with the WEI surname who held prominent positions during the Qin and Han Dynasties.

Throughout history, there have been many notable figures with the WEI surname. For example, Wei Yuan (1794-1857 AD) was a prominent scholar and statesman during the Qing Dynasty who advocated for institutional reforms and modernization. Wei Lihuang (1842-1931 AD) was a renowned artist and calligrapher whose works are treasured in China and abroad.

In the 20th century, Wei Jingsheng (born 1950) was a prominent Chinese human rights activist and dissident who advocated for democracy and political reforms. Wei Shaochun (1910-1994) was a celebrated Chinese painter and art educator who played a significant role in preserving traditional Chinese painting techniques.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Wei surname: questions and answers

How common is the Wei surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 364 in 2016. That gives Wei a modern rank of #12,748.

What does the Wei surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "great," "big," "vast," "deep," or "high," originating from a state in ancient China.

What does the Wei map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wei bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.