The Yao Family Name#

Surname: Yao, pronounced as yáo

Distribution of the Yao Family Name#

Wuxing Commandery: The commandery was established during the Zhou Dynasty. In the first year of Baoding in the Wu state during the Three Kingdoms period (Bingxu, 266 AD), its administrative center was located in Wucheng (present-day Wuxing, Zhejiang). The name "Wuxing" signifies the prosperity of the Wu state. At that time, its jurisdiction included areas from Lin'an in Zhejiang to Yixing in Jiangsu. In the early years of the Yixi era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (Yisi, 405 AD), the administrative center was moved to Wuxing (present-day Wuxing, Zhejiang), and its jurisdiction extended to Lin'an, Huzhou, Yuyao, Hangzhou, and Deqing in Zhejiang, as well as parts of Yixing in Jiangsu. In the second year of Renshou of the Sui Dynasty (Renshu, 602 AD), it was renamed Huzhou due to its proximity to Lake Taihu. During the Tang Dynasty, it was once renamed Wuxing Commandery again.

Nanan Commandery: This commandery was established during the Western Han Dynasty, with its administrative center in Didao (present-day Longxi, Gansu). In the fifth year of Zhongping of the Eastern Han Dynasty (Wuchen, 188 AD), it was re-established from Hanyang Commandery, still with Didao as the center (on the south bank of the Wei River in Longxi, Gansu). Its jurisdiction included parts of Longxi, Dingxi, and Wushan in Gansu. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Nanan Commandery was established (502–519 AD), covering areas in western Gansu and was one of the three major commanderies in the province, governing Xing, Quan, and Zhang. In the ninth year of Kaihuang of the Sui Dynasty (Jiyou, 589 AD), it was reverted to a county.

Origin of the Yao Family Name#

The Yao family name originates from the peach totem. The character "zhào" (兆) means "peach." The Kuafu clan of the Yan Emperor adopted the monkey (Jufu) as their totem, used peach wood as a symbol of authority, and chased the sun through the sky in a peach grove. They called the place "Taodu" (Peach Capital) and used a large peach tree as a sundial. The shadow of the sun on the tree formed an "S" shape, which became the character "zhào." The four seasons were marked with the symbol "X," and when combined with the character "er" (儿), it formed the character "zhào." It is said that Shun was born in Taodu and thus received the Yao surname, which is derived from the female lineage of the Kuafu clan.

According to the latest statistics from the 2005 Global Chinese Ceremony in Lingling, Hunan, there are over 60 surnames derived from the Yao surname, such as Chen, Wang, Hu, Sun, Yu, Tian, Yuan, Che, Lu, and others, spread across more than 50 countries and regions around the world. If descendants who have changed their surname from Yao are also included, the number of notable individuals with the Yao surname is countless, making it one of the most prominent surnames. Although the Yao surname ranks around 60th in terms of prevalence, when descendants who have changed their surname are included, it exceeds the popularity of surnames like Wang, Li, Zhang, and Liu. The Yao surname has a very significant history.

Sources of the Yao Family Name#

The Yao surname comes from the peach totem. During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a state called Yao, and its descendants adopted the state's name as their surname. Other origins include the Qiang tribe, the Mongol and Manchu peoples, and various ethnic minorities in China.

Famous People with the Yao Surname#

Over the course of more than 4,000 years, many notable individuals have borne the Yao surname, including:

• Shun, the ancient sage king
• Scholars and officials from various dynasties, such as Yao Ping, Yao Zongming, Yao Jia, Yao Sengheng, Yao Chai, Yao Xilian, Yao Su, Yao Hui, Yao Guangxiao, and others
• Military leaders like Yao Neibin, Yao Lin, and Yao Ziqing
• Entrepreneurs and philanthropists like Yao Desheng and Yao Mingda
• Cultural figures like Yao Yunwen and Yao Fai

Historical Background#

The Yao surname has a rich historical context, with origins dating back to the Zhou and Qin dynasties. It has spread across China and to various ethnic groups, reflecting the family's adaptability and resilience over time.