Surname Overview
Cao is a currently uncommon Han Chinese surname, pronounced cǎo.
Population and Ranking
The Cao surname has a population of approximately 2,000 and ranks 1,083rd in the latest surname ranking.
草 Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 5Origins
Origin
The Cao surname is traced to descendants of the Zhou official known as the cao ren. The cao ren belonged to the Dìguān section of the Rites of Zhou and was an agricultural official responsible for improving soil; those who held the office for a long time adopted the office as their surname.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestations
The Cao surname is recorded in Xu Tongzhi, in the section on clans and surnames; its origin is also discussed in the Zhouguan passage cited by Xing shi kao lüe.
Migration and Distribution
Present Distribution
The Cao surname is distributed in Beijing, Tacheng in Xinjiang, Datong and Jincheng in Shanxi, and is also found in Sanhe in Hebei and Taipei and Taichung in Taiwan.
Notable People
Historical Figures
Cao Zhong and Cao Wangqiao were figures of the Han dynasty, recorded in Yinsou.
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