Hao Surname

Surname Overview

The Hao surname mainly originated from the Hao Sheng clan and belongs to the Feng-surname tradition; its history extends back more than 3,100 years.

Reference: 郝姓起源分布与家谱家族

Origins

Principal Origin

In the late Shang period, Ziqi, a descendant of the Hao Sheng clan, was enfeoffed at Hao Township, and his descendants adopted the place name as their surname.

Reference: 郝姓起源分布与家谱家族

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Hao surname is recorded in the Clan Records of the Zheng Tongzhi, Xu Tongzhi, and Qing Tongzhi; related records also appear in the Han Shu's Table of Meritorious Officials and the Guangyun.

Reference: 郝姓_郝姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commanderies and Hall Names

The Hao surname's commandery affiliations include Jingzhao, Taiyuan, and Anlu; its hall names include Taiyuan Hall, Jingzhao Hall, Shishu Hall, and Fengwen Hall.

Reference: 郝姓_郝姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Hao communities first lived in Shaanxi, then moved north to Shanxi and Inner Mongolia and east through Hebei into the Jiaodong Peninsula; during the Han and Jin periods, their main areas were North and Northeast China, with one branch moving south to Anhui at the end of the Jin period.

Reference: 郝姓起源分布与家谱家族

Notable People

Historical Figures

Hao Zhao of the Three Kingdoms period, courtesy name Bodao, was from Taiyuan. He defended Hexi and Chencang and was granted the title of Marquis within the Pass for his defense.

Reference: 郝姓_郝姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Research Notes

Divergent Origin Traditions

Other traditions trace the Hao surname to the Jiang and Zi surnames, so its recorded origin traditions are not uniform.

Reference: 郝姓_郝姓的来源和历史_百家姓