Meaning: The surname 麦 (Mài) originates from the Spring and Autumn period. It is said to have arisen from the descendants of the rulers of the State of Qi, who were granted land in Màiqiū (present-day Shānghé, Shāndōng), hence taking the place name as their surname. Another theory suggests that the surname comes from minority ethnic groups, such as the Mài clan of the Xianbei. Although relatively uncommon, notable figures with this surname include Mài Tiězhǎng from the Liu Song Dynasty.
Sorting of Chinese Surnames:No.200 Sung version of the Hundred Surnames: NO.999 place
Mai Erxuan (麦而炫)
a late Ming Dynasty scholar and official from Guangdong, known for his loyalty and martyrdom against the Qing forces.
Mai Ruzhang (麦如章)
A figure from the Ming Dynasty, known by the courtesy name Feiran, with biographical details recorded in Zhang Qiao's 'Lian Xiang Ji'.
Mai Yingzhong (麦应中)
A Ming Dynasty official from Dongguan, served as a judge in Fuzhou, Jiangxi, and later as the prefect of Hechi, Guangxi, known for his work 'Xue Dong Manuscript'.
'麦' is a rare Chinese surname tied to ancient territories and ethnic groups. Despite its infrequency, it carries a rich historical background.