Liáo Surname

Surname Overview

The surname Liao is pronounced liáo. It is currently uncommon, has fewer than one thousand people nationwide, and ranks 1,858th in the latest population ranking.

Reference: 辽姓起源、辽姓起名、辽姓名人明星大全、百家姓排名

Origins

Zi-Surname Origin

One tradition holds that the Liao surname derives from the Zi surname, descends from Weizi of Song, and shares an origin with the Liao surname written 寮.

Reference: 辽姓_辽姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Adopted-Surname Origin

Another account says that the descendants of the Wei general Niu Jin changed their surname to Liao to avoid danger from the Sima clan, and that it was restored to Niu during the tenure of Liao Yun, a Minister of Works in the Later Zhou.

Reference: 辽姓_辽姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Historical Records

Documentary Attestations

The Zheng Tongzhi: Shizu Lue records the Liao surname. The Xing shi kao lüe annotates its origins and cites related records from the Lu Shi and the Xing Yuan.

Reference: 辽姓_辽姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Distribution

The Liao surname is found in Beijing, Wuchuan in Guangdong, Shenyang in Liaoning, Yutai in Shandong, Zhouqu in Gansu, Datong and Xinzhou in Shanxi, and the Yanbei area; it is also found in Kaihua, Zhejiang, and Linying, Henan.

Reference: 辽姓_辽姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Notable People

Associated Figures

The account of the surname change mentions Niu Jin, a general of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, and Liao Yun, a Minister of Works in the Later Zhou.

Reference: 辽姓_辽姓的来源和历史_百家姓