Last Name Chao

The surname Chao (also spelled as Ts'ao, Zhao) has its origins in China. It is one of the 24 Chinese clan names, which were traditionally grouped into five levels and four branches, reflecting the ancient social structure in China. The character "Chao" (赵/朝) in Chinese means "rising up" or "the beginning", symbolizing the first sovereign of a dynasty. The Zhao state was one of the Seven Warring States during the late Zhou Dynasty and early Qin Dynasty, around 403 BC - 221 BC. Thus, the surname Chao is often associated with this historical state. It is worth noting that the distribution of this surname is quite widespread in China due to its historical significance. According to some sources, it is the most common surname in China, with over 34 million people bearing this name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Chao

The meaning and origin of the last name Chao

The surname Chao is of Chinese origin and belongs to the Hakka ethnic group, which means "guest people" in Mandarin. It is one of the many Chinese family names that were originally geographical or occupational designations but have since become hereditary surnames. In the context of the Hakka community, Chao is derived from the word "Zhao," which refers to a type of bamboo, indicating either someone who lived near bamboo groves or had an occupation related to this resource. The name is pronounced as "Jo" in Cantonese and "Zhao" in Mandarin. Its pronunciation may vary depending on the regional dialects in China. Over time, the Chao surname has spread globally as Hakka people migrated, forming communities across Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and other parts of the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Chao

The surname Chao is predominantly found in East and Southeast Asia, reflecting its Chinese origin. Historically, it is most prevalent in China, particularly in regions such as Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Zhejiang provinces, where Hokkien-speaking populations reside. The name also appears frequently in Taiwan and Singapore, countries with large Chinese immigrant populations. In addition, significant numbers of people with the surname Chao can be found in various Southeast Asian nations, such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, due to historical migrations and intermarriages. Beyond Asia, the name is also present in other parts of the world, particularly in the Americas and Australia, where Chinese immigrants settled during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Chao

The surname Chao has various spellings and pronunciations across different regions. Some common variations include: Ch'ao, Chaough, Chau, Chaoa, Tsao, Ts'ao, and Tsaough. These variations may be due to differences in dialect, phonetic interpretation, or historical spelling conventions. In Chinese, the name is traditionally written as 趙 (Simplified) or 赵 (Traditional), which is pronounced as "Zhào" in Mandarin and "Cháo" in Cantonese. In Vietnamese, it is often spelled as Trần, a common surname that shares similarities with Chao due to the historical connection between China and Vietnam. The name's origins can be traced back to ancient China, where it was believed to have been derived from the Chinese character 趙 (Zhào), which represents 'to go' or 'move.'

Famous people with the last name Chao

Notable individuals sharing the surname Chao include:

1. Angela Chao: Born in 1962, she is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is currently the Chairperson and CEO of Foremost Group, a leading freight forwarding company based in New York City.

2. Jerry Yang: A Silicon Valley entrepreneur, he co-founded Yahoo! Inc. in 1995 with David Filo. Born in Taiwan, Yang immigrated to the United States for his education, earning degrees from Brown University and Stanford University.

3. Norman Mineta: An American politician, he served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush and was the Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for California's 10th and 15th congressional districts for nearly three decades.

4. Judy Chao: An accomplished violinist, she has performed with various orchestras across the United States and Europe. She is also a dedicated educator, having taught at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music and the Colburn School.

These individuals have made significant contributions in business, technology, politics, and music, demonstrating a wide range of accomplishments among those with the last name Chao.

Genealogical research on the last name Chao

The surname Chao is of Chinese origin and is predominantly found among the Han ethnic group. It is written as 朝 in traditional Chinese characters and ōu or Cháo in pinyin, which can be translated as "dawn" or "morning." The name has a long history in China, with recorded instances dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE). One notable individual with the surname Chao is Chao Cuo, a high-ranking official during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Other influential figures include Chao Buzhi, a general and politician in the Tang Dynasty, and Chao Kuo-fu, a prominent statesman and writer in the Republic of China. The distribution of the surname is primarily concentrated in Southeast Asia due to historical migrations during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In modern times, significant populations can be found in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Chao"
• 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

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