The Tao Family Name#

Family Name: Tao, Pronunciation: táo

Regions Where the Tao Family Name is Found**#

Jiyang Commandery in Henan, Danyang Commandery in Anhui, and Xunyang Commandery in Jiangxi.

Origins of the Tao Family Name#

The origin of the "Tao" family name can be traced back to several different sources:

First Origin: It originates from the Qi family name, stemming from the place where Emperor Yao lived and multiplied his descendants, known as Tao. This is an example of a family name derived from the name of the residence. In ancient times, Emperor Yao initially lived in Tao (now in southern Mengnan, Henan, or southwest of Dingtao, Shandong), where he made pottery. His official title was "Tao Zheng." Later, he was granted the title of Marquis of Tang, hence the name Tao Tang. Some of his descendants adopted the place name as their family name.

Second Origin: It originates from the Ji family name and is associated with a professional skill. According to historical records such as "Yuanhe Xing Zhuan" and "Xing Yuan," before Emperor Yao became the leader of his tribe, he lived in the area around present-day Dingtao County, Shandong, where he made pottery for a living. This area was historically known as Tao Qiu. Some of Yao's descendants took their ancestor's profession as their family name.

Third Origin: It also originates from the Qi family name and relates to one of the seven noble clans of the Shang Dynasty, known for their pottery-making skills. Historical texts like "Yuanhe Xing Zhuan" and "Fengsu Tong" mention that these clans were skilled in pottery, a profession traditionally held by lower-ranking nobles. After the Spring and Autumn period, commoners who also practiced pottery adopted this profession as their family name.

Fourth Origin: It originates from the Yu family name and is connected to a descendant of Shun. According to historical records, after Shun passed the throne to Yu, one of Yu's descendants took the official title as their family name.

Fifth Origin: It originates from the Tang family name and resulted from someone named Tao Gu changing their surname to avoid the emperor's name during the Song Dynasty. Tao Gu, originally surnamed Tang, changed it to avoid offending the emperor. His descendants continued to use the Tao surname.

Sixth Origin: It originates from the Mongolian tribe of the Barga Banner, specifically the Tao clan of the Mongol state of Tao Guo Hun. They were Hanized and adopted the Chinese surname "Tao."

Seventh Origin: This origin involves the adoption of Chinese surnames by various ethnic groups, including the Manchu, Tuo Jia, Tuo He Luo, Tu Qin, and Tu Kuol tribes, who all changed their surnames to Tao.

Ancestral Figure of the Tao Family Name: Emperor Yao, a sage of ancient China. Before becoming the leader of his tribe, he lived in Dingtao, Shandong, where he made pottery. He is considered the ancestral figure of the Tao family name.

Sub-branches of the Tao Family Name:

• Tao He Qing: Known for his contributions in suppressing rebels during the Song Dynasty, he was promoted to governor of Dianzhou.
• Tao Hongjing: A scholar and Taoist priest who wrote extensively about herbal medicine.
• Tao Qian: A famous poet and poet of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
• Tao Xingzhi: A prominent educator and reformer in modern Chinese history.

The Tao family name has a history of over 4,300 years, with significant populations in regions such as Henan, Anhui, and Jiangxi. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the Tao family name spread southward, particularly in Jiyang Commandery, which became a prominent center of the Tao lineage. Throughout history, the Tao family name has been associated with various professions and places of residence, leading to numerous branches and regions with significant populations.