Shao Surname

Surname Overview

A Rare Surname

Shao, pronounced sháo, is a relatively rare surname in current use.

Reference: 韶姓_韶姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Origins

Derived from the Name of a Musical Composition

One lineage is traced to the Youyu clan: a music official under Shun composed the piece Shao, and his descendants adopted its title as their surname.

Reference: 韶姓_韶姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Derived from the Place Name Shaozhou

Another lineage is associated with Shaozhou in northern Guangdong. Shaozhou was named after Shaoshi, and local inhabitants adopted the place name as their surname.

Reference: 韶姓_韶姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Commanderies and Clan Halls

Commandery and Hall Name

Taiyuan Commandery is listed as an ancestral commandery, with Taiyuan Hall as a hall name; Kaifeng is also listed as an ancestral commandery.

Reference: 韶姓_韶姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Historical Figures

Shao Shi served as magistrate of Zhongmu during the Jin dynasty. In the Ming dynasty, Shao Hu served as a bureau secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, registrar of Kunshan, and assistant surveillance commissioner.

Reference: 韶姓_韶姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Research Notes

Chronological Question about the Shaozhou Origin

People surnamed Shao were already recorded in the Jin period, before Shaozhou was established in the Sui dynasty; therefore, the surname cannot be explained entirely by Sui-era Shaozhou and must have another origin.

Reference: 韶姓_韶姓的来源和历史_百家姓