Cai Li

Cai Li (蔡李), also romanized as Choi Lei, is a Hakka Chinese surname that is sometimes mistakenly considered a compound surname when transliterated into English. It is, in fact, a combination of two common single-character surnames, Cai (蔡) and Li (李). Individuals bearing the "Cai Li" surname generally identify with both ancestral lineages and carry on the traditions associated with each. The appearance of this surname could be due to various historical factors, including adoption, marriage customs, or changes in family naming practices over generations. Due to its uncommon nature, documenting its precise origins and distribution remains a challenge, and information regarding notable historical figures or geographical concentrations with this surname is scarce. Researching specific family genealogies is often necessary to understand the individual circumstances surrounding the use of "Cai Li" as a surname.