The Shao Clan#

Clan Name: Shao, pronounced as “shào”.

Distribution of the Shao Clan#

• Boling Commandery: Established in the first year of the Banchu era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (146 AD), with its administrative center in Boling (now Lixian, Hebei).
• Runan Commandery: Established in the fourth year of the Gaozu era of the Western Han Dynasty (203 BC). Its territory included areas between the Ying and Huai rivers in present-day Henan Province, to the east of the Jingguang Railway, and to the west of the Ci and Xi Fei rivers in Anhui Province. It covered regions such as Yancheng, Shangcai, Pingyu, and Xiangcheng counties, with its administrative center in Shangcai (now Shangcai, Henan).
• Luoyang Commandery: Centered around present-day Luoyang, Henan, this area was historically known as “Henan” and was one of the earliest political centers of the Chinese nation, alongside “Hedong” and “Henei”.
• Nanyang Commandery: During the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the administrative center of Nanyang Prefecture was located in Nanyang, which corresponds to the ancient Wan County and today’s Nanyang, Henan.
• Anyang Commandery: Established during the Western Han Dynasty, with its administrative center in the southwest of present-day Zhengyang, Henan.

Origin of the Shao Clan#

The Shao clan ranks 83rd among the most common surnames in China, with a population of approximately 0.24% of the national total. The origins of the Shao surname are as follows:

1. Derived from the Ji surname: It originated from the fiefdom of Zhao Gong, the fifth son of King Wen of Zhou. According to historical records, Zhao Gong was granted the fiefdom of Zhao (present-day Fufeng, Shaanxi) and later Yan. After the fall of Yan to Qin, his descendants adopted “Zhao” as their surname, adding the character “Shao” to it.
2. From the Yi ethnic group: Some members of the Yi clan in Yunnan during the Ming Dynasty adopted the Shao surname as a result of Hanization.
3. From the Ji surname: Descendants of the tenth son of King Wen of Zhou also adopted the Shao surname, based on the name of their residence.
4. From place names: The Shao surname also originated from place names, such as Shaoling in the Spring and Autumn period of the Chu state.
5. From the Manchu ethnic group: Some Manchu people adopted the Shao surname after Hanization.

Ancestral Figure: Zhao Gong, also known as “Zhao Bo” or “Zhao Bo,” was a prominent figure in Chinese history.

Migration and Distribution: After the fall of the Yan state, its royal descendants dispersed mainly in the Central Plains, including southern Hebei, Henan, and western Anhui.

Current Population: The Shao clan has a population of 2.93 million, ranking 83rd in China, accounting for about 0.24% of the national population. Over the past 600 years, the population has increased significantly, with a growth rate that has been relatively consistent.

Hall Names (Tanghao):

• Boling Hall: Named after the ancient county of Boling.
• Runan Hall: Named after the ancient county of Runan.
• Luoyang Hall: Named after the ancient county of Luoyang.
• Nanyang Hall: Named after the ancient county of Nanyang.
• Anyang Hall: Named after the ancient county of Anyang.
• Anle Hall: Named after Shao Yong of the Song Dynasty, who was a scholar and philosopher.

Notable Figures with the Shao Surname:

• Zhao Bo Hu: A high-ranking official during the late Western Zhou Dynasty, descended from Zhao Gong. After the fall of Yan, he helped establish the Han Dynasty and was posthumously honored with the title “Zhao Mu Gong.”
• Zhao Ping: A famous general during the Qin Dynasty.
• Shao Xinchen: A prominent minister during the Western Han Dynasty.
• Shao Yong: A renowned philosopher and scholar of the Song Dynasty.

The Shao clan has a diverse ethnic background and multiple origins, with a population of around 3.324 million, accounting for about 0.21% of the national total. It is widely distributed across China, with the highest concentrations in Jiangsu, Shandong, Gansu, and Hubei provinces.