Zhao (surname)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zhao (pinyin: zhào, Wade-Giles: Chao, simplified Chinese: 赵, traditional Chinese: 趙) is a common Chinese family name, which ranks 8th largest number of people with this surname in Mainland China. The origin of the family name came from the people of State of Zhao in ancient China.
Zhao is the first surname in the Book of Surnames (literally translated: The 100 Family Names). Zhao is the first surname because Zhao was the name of the emperor when the book was created. The book was created as a form of census.
The family name can be transliterated to Chew, Chiu, Jiu or Jew in Cantonese.
Zhao can also be a less common family name 兆 (Siu in Cantonese.)
Zhao is represented in Korean by either Cho or Jo.
Zhao is represented in Vietnamese by Triệu.
[edit] Prominent people with family name 赵/趙
- The Zhao royals of the State of Zhao.
- The Triệu/Zhao royals of Triệu Dynasty/Nanyue.
- The Zhao royals of the Song Dynasty.
- Rosalind Chao, an American actor.
- Elaine L. Chao, United States Secretary of Labor.
- Yuen Ren Chao, a Chinese linguist.
- Zhao Hongbo, a pairs figure skater.
- Zhao Jingshen, novelist.
- Zhao Mengfu, a famous calligrapher.
- Zhao Shuli, novelist.
- Zhao Tuo, founder of the Nanyue kingdom.
- Zhao Wei, actress.
- Zhao Benshan, Comedian.
- Zhao Yun, a general during the era of Three Kingdoms.
- Zhao Ziyang, Chinese politician, placed under house arrest after symphathizing with the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.
