Surname Overview
Bao (bǎo) is a currently widespread surname found among the Han, Hui, Dai, Tibetan, and Lisu peoples. It is recorded in the Clan Records sections of the Zheng Tongzhi and Qing Tongzhi.
Bao Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 78,245Bao / Bao
Origins
Main Origins
The Bao surname includes origins from the Western Zhou official title Baozhangshi, descendants of the Chu royal clan in the Spring and Autumn period, the Tibetan Bao clan, the Han surname of the Wa Siweng clan, and Hui people with the surname Bao.
The Wang Baobao Branch
After Wang Baobao died, his concubine moved to Chongchuan with his young son Wang Fanhai. Their descendants adopted “Bao” from their ancestor’s name as their surname, forming one Bao lineage.
Historical Records
Early Historical Figure
Bao Shen was a tutor to King Wen of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period.
Research Notes
Limits of the Zhaotong Hui Account
The Zhaotong Hui Bao genealogy states an origin in Mongolia, but whether “Mongolia” means the country or the Mongol ethnic group remains to be examined further; records before the thirteenth generation are also treated with doubt.
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Surname attestation references
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