Chao / Chao
Chao is pronounced cháo. It is a relatively uncommon but widely distributed surname, accounting for about 0.01% of China's Han population; Sichuan and Anhui have comparatively large numbers, together accounting for about 29% of the country's Han Chao population.
The surname is associated with several origins: the Ji surname, Shi Chao of the state of Wei in the Spring and Autumn period, Ying Chao, a senior Qin official in the early Warring States period, and the Mongolian Chaolutude clan.
The Zheng Tongzhi: Shizu Lue records Chao as also written 朝 and 鼂, identifies it as a Ji-surname lineage descended from King Jing of Zhou's son Wang Zichao, and also records a tradition tracing it to Shi Chao, a senior official of Wei; its commanderies were Yingchuan and Jingzhao.
The recorded commanderies are Jingzhao and Yingchuan. Hall names include Yingchuan Hall, Nanyang Hall, Jingzhao Hall, Zhِنang Hall, Xueshu Hall, and Gongcui Hall.
Members of the Chao lineage are distributed across Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Guangdong, Shanxi, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Chao Cuo was a native of Yingchuan in the Western Han period and a politician during the reigns of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing. He served as Imperial Secretary under Emperor Jing and was known for advocating the reduction of the feudal lords' power.
In ancient usage, 晁, 鼌, and 朝 had the same pronunciation and related meanings, and 晁 was an ancient form of 朝. Records give two traditions for the founding ancestor, Wang Zichao and Shi Chao of Wei, and also record that the surname was changed from 朝 to 晁.
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