Lei Clan

Overview

The Lei clan has two important branches recorded in Volume 74 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, under the section on Nikan surnames within the Manchu Banners. One branch, led by Lei Honghua, belonged to the Bordered White Banner and its ancestral home was Liaoyang; the year of their submission is unknown. Lei Honghua and his son, Lei Xiansheng, both served as Imperial Envoys. Their grandson, Haoshan, served as a deputy general, initially receiving the rank of Yunqiwei for military merit in Shaanxi, but later died in battle at Luzhou and was posthumously awarded the title of Qiduwei, a title his descendants continued to hold.

Descendants of this branch also included Lei Jizong, Lei Jizun, and Lei Jizhi, holding positions such as Dutong and zuoling. The Imperial Envoy was an official in charge of ceremonial affairs, while the deputy general was a military officer in actual command. Yunqiwei and Qiduwei were hereditary titles awarded for merit; these three titles should not be considered the same military position.

The other branch, led by Lei Zheng, belonged to the Plain White Banner and its ancestral home was Shenyang. His son, Lei Xiaochen, served as Treasurer; his great-grandson, Lei Yuchun, served as Minister of the Military Equipment Bureau and concurrently as zuoling; and his elder brother, Lao Ge, served as a Third-Class Imperial Guard and concurrently as zuoling. The treasurer was responsible for the receipt and safekeeping of supplies, the military equipment bureau was in charge of the military affairs of the inner palace, and the captains were involved in the management of grassroots personnel. In this volume, the Lei family is reflected in various official positions, including those related to ceremonial guards, the army, and the management of the inner palace; the kinship relationships and specific positions of each branch need to be verified, and lineages cannot be merged solely based on the same surname.