Last Name Diao

The surname Diao (also spelled as Tiao, Djiao, etc.) is a Chinese family name from the Han ethnic group, specifically belonging to the Minnan or Hokkien speaking people. It comes from the Min Nan language and is pronounced as "Tiu" in that language. It's one of the many Chinese surnames that are derived from occupations, with Diao being an occupation related to a craftsperson who worked with metal (like a blacksmith or goldsmith). The character for Diao (爺) is composed of "old" (爺) and "grandfather" (尓). In the past, it was associated with a professional title, 鐘匠 (zhēng shāo), which means bell maker. Over time, due to various historical and linguistic reasons, this surname has been romanized in different ways across different regions where Hokkien-speaking Chinese people have migrated.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Diao

The meaning and origin of the last name Diao

The surname Diao (also spelled as Tiao, Dou, To, or Zhao) is of Chinese origin and belongs to one of the five main Chinese surnames, known as the "Five Great Families" or "Five Big Clans". This surname can be traced back to the ancient Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), where it was among the first 300 recorded surnames. The character "" represents the surname Diao and is composed of two parts: "梁" (liang) meaning "a slope" or "a bank", and "肋" (ji) representing a fishbone or a long bone in the arm. The combination of these characters symbolizes a person who lives on the bank of a river, much like how a fishbone appears. Over centuries, this surname has spread throughout China, with significant concentrations in provinces such as Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi. Today, Diao is among the top 100 most common surnames in China, with an estimated 6 million carriers worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Diao

The surname Diao, a common Chinese name, predominantly originates from China. It is most frequently found in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Fujian, and Zhejiang, which are densely populated coastal regions. Historically, these areas were key trading hubs during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and a large number of people with the surname Diao may have originated from there as a result of the migration associated with trade activities. Smaller populations of individuals with the surname Diao can also be found in other parts of China, including Sichuan, Henan, Anhui, and Hunan provinces. Additionally, due to historical immigration patterns, there are significant numbers of people with the surname Diao living overseas, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.

Variants and spellings of the last name Diao

The surname Diao, which originates from China, has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciations. Some common variations include: Diago, Tiao, Tau, Thiau, Jiao, Chao, Chaou, Ch'ao, Ts'ai, Tsi, and Dzhao. These variations can be found among Chinese-speaking individuals primarily in China and countries with large Chinese diaspora communities such as Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and Canada. Additionally, the name may also be written using different character combinations depending on the dialect or region in China. For instance, the name 刁 (Dío) is found in Mandarin-speaking areas, while 調 (Diào) is common in Cantonese-speaking regions. It's essential to note that these variations do not indicate any specific regional, cultural, or ethnic differences among people with the surname Diao.

Famous people with the last name Diao

The Diao family has produced several notable figures across various fields. Among them, Diao Chuan (4th century BCE) was a renowned Chinese calligrapher during the Han Dynasty, known for his elegant and expressive style. In contemporary times, Diao Yanping is a prominent Chinese actress who won the Best Actress award at the 1992 Golden Rooster Awards. From the world of music, Diao Weiyan, also known as Derrick Hoh, is an American musician and singer-songwriter of Chinese descent. Notably, he was a member of the popular band Owl City. In the realm of academia, Dario Diao is an Italian professor who specializes in Roman archaeology, and has made significant contributions to the study of ancient Rome. These are just a few examples of influential individuals bearing the surname Diao.

Genealogical research on the last name Diao

The surname Diao (刁/调/貂) is an ancient Chinese family name that originated from the Di state during the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BCE - 256 BCE). It was originally written as 刁, representing a weapon used in the Di tribe. Over time, the character evolved to 调 and eventually to its current form, 貂, which is believed to represent a type of weasel or otter. The Diao clan played significant roles in Chinese history, with notable members contributing to various fields such as politics, literature, and martial arts. One famous member was Diao Chan, a character from the Romance of Three Kingdoms, known for her political acumen and strategic brilliance. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), the Diao family produced another noteworthy figure, Diao Zong (貂宗), who served as a prominent official. The Diao clan has dispersed across China over centuries but maintains its historical significance and is celebrated by Chinese diaspora communities around the world.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Diao"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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