Cai

Cai is a Chinese surname derived from the Chinese character 蔡 (cài), referring to the ancient state of Cai that existed during the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE). The state of Cai was located in what is now Henan province, and its name became a clan name after the state was conquered. The surname is the 155th most common surname in China, and it is particularly common among the Han Chinese.

Etymology

The character 蔡 is composed of the radical 艹 (grass) and the phonetic component 祭 (meaning 'sacrifice'). The name Cai originally referred to a type of tortoise shell used in divination, but came to be associated with the fiefdom granted to Cai Shu Du, the fifth son of King Wen of Zhou. After the rebellion of the Three Guards, the state of Cai was restored and continued until its annexation by the state of Chu in 447 BCE. Descendants of the Cai nobility adopted the state's name as their surname.

Notable Bearers

John H. Cai, chemist; Wallis Cai, consultant; Cai Yuanpei, educator; Cai E, warlord; and Susie Cai, medic.

Distribution

The surname is most prevalent in southern China, especially in Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi provinces. It is also found among overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia and elsewhere.

• Meaning: 'vegetable' or 'ancestral sacrifice' (derived from state name)
• Origin: Chinese
• Type: Surname
• Usage regions: China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia