Surname Overview
Pronunciation and Status
The surname Yao is recorded with the pronunciations yào and yuè. It is a rare surname in current use and is also listed as a rare compound surname.
Yào Surname
Population reference (not a current census): 47Yào / Yao
Origins
Recorded origins include descendants of the Yan Emperor through the Jiang surname, Ba Yi people, the Tufan group during the Western Xia period, and the three Shatuo divisions under Later Tang.
Historical Records
Documentary Attestations
The Cihai records the pronunciation yuè. The Xing shi kao lüe, citing the Lu Shi, identifies it as descending from the Jiang surname and also records Ba Yi and Western Xia branches. Related surname references also record a Turkic Yao surname.
Commanderies and Clan Halls
Commanderies of Origin
Recorded commanderies associated with the surname include Taiyuan and Baling; another entry lists Henei as a commandery of origin.
Migration and Distribution
The surname is currently distributed in Ruyuan, Guangdong; Lushui, Yunnan; Taiyuan, Jincheng, Changzhi, Yuncheng, and Xinzhou in Shanxi; as well as Zhenxiong in Yunnan, Fenyang and Yonghe in Shanxi, and Beijing.
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Surname attestation references
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