Last Name Cao

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cao

The meaning and origin of the last name Cao

The surname Cao (pronounced as Ts'ao) is of Chinese origin, specifically from the Han ethnic group. It is one of the ancient and noble surnames in China, often associated with scholars and aristocrats. The character "曹" (Cao) in traditional Chinese characters can be written as 曹 or 曹氏. Historically, Cao was one of the 'Five Great Clans' during the Eastern Han Dynasty, representing the powerful regional families. Notable persons bearing this surname include Cao Cao, a warlord and regent during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, known for his military conquests and administrative reforms, as well as Cao Xueqin, the author of the renowned Chinese novel "Dream of the Red Chamber." The surname's popularity varies across China, being most common in regions like Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cao

The surname Cao is predominantly found in China and among Chinese diaspora communities worldwide. In China, it is most commonly seen in regions such as Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Guangdong provinces, which are historically rich in maritime trade and have a significant Hoklo (Taiwanese) population. The name is also widely distributed among the Han Chinese in these areas due to its historical association with the Cao clan, one of the Five Great Clans during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD). Beyond China, large numbers of people with the surname Cao can be found in countries with significant Chinese immigrant populations, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the United States. The name also appears among the Chinese diaspora communities in Australia, Canada, and other Western countries. The distribution pattern suggests a combination of historical migration patterns and continued migration due to economic and social factors in more recent times.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cao

The surname Cao, which originates from China, has several variants and spellings due to differences in transliteration and pronunciation. Some of the most common include:

1. Ts'ao (traditional Chinese characters) or Zhao (simplified Chinese characters), which are the standard translations into Mandarin.
2. Tsao, Tsow, Caoz, Cauz, and Chaoz are alternative English spellings of the name.
3. Ts'o (traditional Chinese) or Zuo (simplified Chinese) is another variant that can be found.
4. In Vietnamese, the surname Cao translates to Hậu, and it is pronounced similarly.
5. The Cantonese pronunciation of the name Cao is Jyu, while the Putonghua (Mandarin) pronunciation is Zhao.
6. In Korean, the surname Cao is spelled as Jo or Chou in McCune-Reischauer romanization and as Jō or Ch'ŏ in Revised Romanization.
7. It is worth noting that the name Cao can also be found among people of other ethnicities as a given name, particularly in Portuguese-speaking countries. In this context, it may be spelled as Caó, Caô, or Cão.
8. Lastly, Cau or Kaou are less common variations of the surname, but they can still be found among Chinese and Vietnamese families.

Famous people with the last name Cao

Cao is a Chinese surname with notable figures throughout history. One of the most influential was Cao Cao (155-220 AD), a prominent warlord and politician during the Han Dynasty. He unified much of China under his rule, established the state of Wei, and is credited for the creation of the Three Kingdoms period. Another significant figure from the same dynasty was Cao Pi (187-226 AD), the third Emperor of the Cao Wei state who reigned during the Three Kingdoms period. In the modern era, Cao Dai (1926-present) is a Vietnamese new religious movement that originated in the 1920s. Its central figure was Cao Hoai Sang (1865-1922), who claimed to be a reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Joan of Arc, and Confucius. The Cao Dai religion is known for its syncretism, blending elements from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity.

Genealogical research on the last name Cao

The surname Cao (pronounced "tsiao") is of Chinese origin and belongs to the Hakka people, a group known for their migrations from Southern China. The name Cao is written as 曹 in traditional Chinese characters, and it can be translated as "market" or "town." Historically, the Cao family traces their roots to the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period (722-481 BC). Over time, the Cao clan expanded and spread across various regions, with significant populations in provinces such as Hunan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangsu. Notable figures bearing the Cao surname include Cao Cao (曹操), a warlord during the Han Dynasty who played a crucial role in unifying China; and Cao Xuan (曹宣), a renowned poet from the Tang Dynasty. Today, individuals with the last name Cao can be found in various countries around the world, particularly in Vietnam and Singapore due to historical migrations.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Cao"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025