刁姓
The Diao surname, a Han Chinese name with multiple origins including states and professions, ranks 204th in China, constituting approximately 0.04% of the Han population and is widely distributed across the country.
The Diao Family Name
Family Name: Diao, Pronunciation: diāo
Regions Where the Diao Family Name is Found
Lintao County, Gansu Province; Dingtao County, Shandong Province
Origins of the Diao Family Name
The Diao family name is relatively common and widely distributed, accounting for approximately 0.04% of the Han population in China, ranking 204th in frequency.
Sources of the Diao Family Name
There are six main origins of the Diao family name:
- Derived from the Ji surname: During the reign of King Wen of Zhou, there was a state named Diaoguo, whose people mostly bore the surname Diao, which was later simplified to Diao.
- Derived from a profession: As recorded in the "Han Shu", some people took their profession as their surname; for example, descendants of the craftsman Diao also adopted the surname Diao.
- Derived from a personal name: According to the "Fengsu Tong", a prominent official from the state of Qi named Dong Diao became the ancestor of the Diao family. During the Warring States period, there was also a man named Diao Bo, and in the Han dynasty, there was Diao Jian, who was known for his wealth. Their descendants settled in the Bohai region.
- Derived from the state of Qi: During the Spring and Autumn period, an official named Shu Diao was a favorite of Duke Huan of Qi and assisted him in establishing his power. After Duke Huan's death, Shu Diao gained control, and his descendants adopted his name as their surname.
- Derived from the surname Diao Bo: In ancient times, the surnames Diao and Diao Bo were often interchanged. According to the "Fengsu Tong", these names were later unified as Diao.
- From other ethnic groups: During the Ming and Qing dynasties, people with the surname Dao in Yunnan changed it to Diao. In the Qing dynasty, the Diao family name was also found among ethnic groups such as the Tujia, Manchu, and Mongolian people in Yunnan, Jianchuan, and Sichuan.
Founder of the Diao Family Name
Shu Diao was a favored minister of Duke Huan of Qi. After Duke Huan's death, Shu Diao used his influence to establish his own dynasty, but he was eventually killed in a political upheaval. His descendants adopted his name as their surname to honor him.
Migration and Distribution
During the Warring States period, a hermit named Diao Bo lived in the state of Qi. In the Han dynasty, there was a merchant named Diao Jian from Qi. These historical figures were from present-day Shandong, indicating that the Diao family name originated there. During the Xin and Three Kingdoms periods, the Diao family name flourished in the Bohai and Hongnong regions. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it spread to other parts of China, especially in the Bohai region.
Notable People with the Diao Surname
- Diao Wei: A minister of the Eastern Han dynasty from Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu).
- Diao Jian: A merchant from Qi who was recorded in historical documents.
- Diao Zidu: A rebel leader from the Eastern Han dynasty from Donghai (present-day Tancheng, Shandong).
- Diao Kui: A wealthy merchant who rose to prominence during the Northern Wei dynasty.
The Diao family name has since become widely distributed throughout China, with significant populations in provinces such as Guizhou and Hunan. It ranks 204th in the frequency of Chinese surnames, with a population of about 0.04% of the total Han population.