Surname Overview
Pronunciation
The surname Xiao is pronounced “xiāo.”
Xīāo Surname
Surname profileXīāo / Hsiao
Origins
Origin From an Official Title
One account traces the surname to the Ying lineage and to Qin officials called “xiaoren” during the Warring States period; their descendants adopted the title as a surname.
Imperially Bestowed Surname
Another account traces it to the Ji lineage and a branch descended from Yang Xuangan, son of Yang Su in the Sui dynasty, as an imperially bestowed surname.
Historical Records
The Xingpu records that Emperor Yang of Sui changed Yang Xuangan’s surname to Xiao after executing him; the Tongzhi, “Clan Studies,” places it under surnames based on negative virtues.
Notable People
The Yang Xuangan Branch
Yang Xuangan was the son of Yang Su and raised a rebellion in the ninth year of Sui Daye; his clan members later adopted the Xiao surname.
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