赵ZhaoSurname
Zhào
Zhao (赵) means 'to surpass' or 'excellent'. The Zhao family founded the Song Dynasty, a peak of Chinese cultural and technological achievement.
Zhào
Mainland China · Taiwan
Chiu
Guangdong · Hong Kong
Tiau
Fujian · Taiwan · SE Asia
Chau
Meizhou · Taiwan · SE Asia
Population Ranking
#8
Estimated Over 29 million people
Position among top 100 Chinese surnames
Geographic Distribution
Henan, Shandong, Hebei
Five Element Analysis
Fire
passion, energy, and leadership
Origin & Evolution
From Chu State royalty to global diaspora — a 3,000-year journey
Zhou Dynasty
周朝·c. 1046 – 256 BC
Originated from Zaofu (造父), the legendary charioteer of King Mu of Zhou, who was enfeoffed at the city of Zhao (赵城) in modern Shanxi for his skill in steering the king to victory.
Han Dynasty
汉朝·206 BC – 220 CE
During the Warring States period, the Zhao state produced brilliant generals like Zhao Yong (King Wuling), whose cavalry reforms reshaped Chinese warfare and elevated the surname's prestige.
Tang & Song
唐宋·618 – 1279
Imperial surname — Zhao Kuangyin founded the Song dynasty in 960, elevating Zhao to the imperial clan and seeding one of China's most extensive royal lineages.
Ming & Qing
明清·1368 – 1912
After the fall of the Song, imperial descendants scattered across north China, taking root in Henan, Shandong, and Hebei while some branches migrated south to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Modern Era
现代·1912 – Today
The eighth most common surname in China with over 27 million people, still most concentrated in the northern provinces that gave the lineage its imperial heritage.
Commandery
Tianshui Commandery (天水郡) — Modern-day Tianshui, Gansu Province
Hall Title
天水堂 (Tianshui Hall)
Tianshui in modern-day Gansu was the ancestral home of the Zhao clan, who later founded the Song Dynasty.
Ancestral Hall
Zhao Clan Ancestral Hall in Tianshui, Gansu — The ancestral origin of the Zhao surname, dating back over 2,000 years. The hall features imperial tablets from the Song Dynasty era.
Clan Motto & Family Tradition
天水家风，文德传世 — The Tianshui family tradition; literary virtue passes through generations.
Famous People with Surname Zhao
Zhao Yun
赵云
c. 168 – 229
GeneralHeroic general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms, revered in the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' as a paragon of courage, loyalty, and martial skill.
Emperor Taizu of Song
赵匡胤
927 – 976
EmperorFounder of the Song dynasty who ended decades of fragmentation, ending the Five Dynasties era and presiding over a golden age of Chinese commerce and culture.
Zhao Mengfu
赵孟頫
1254 – 1322
Painter & CalligrapherSong imperial descendant who served the Yuan and revolutionized Chinese art, fusing calligraphy and painting into a new literati aesthetic.
Tone Compatibility
Zhao (Zhào) is a 4th tone (falling) surname. In Chinese naming, balanced tonal patterns create harmonious-sounding names.
Recommended Patterns
peaceful and bright
bright and peaceful
vast as ocean and sun
Patterns to Avoid
Each digit is a tone (1=level, 2=rising, 3=dipping, 4=falling). The first is the surname tone; the next two are the given name's tones.
Example Names with Zhao
Your Zhao Family Legend
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Try the Name Generator→Frequently Asked Questions
What does the surname Zhao mean in Chinese?
The surname Zhao (赵) means 'to surpass' or 'excellent', and its character depicts a person walking quickly (走) and a weapon (戈), symbolizing swiftness and martial prowess. The Zhao family founded the Song Dynasty, a peak of Chinese cultural and technological achievement, and the name embodies excellence and ambition.
Where does the Zhao surname originate from?
The Zhao surname originated from Zaofu (造父), a legendary charioteer who helped King Mu of Zhou. He was granted the fief of Zhao (赵城) in present-day Shanxi, and his descendants adopted the place name as their surname. Another branch comes from the State of Zhao during the Warring States period, which was founded by the Zhao family.
Who are some famous people with the surname Zhao?
Zhao Kuangyin (927–976), founder of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Ziyang (1919–2005), a former Premier of China. Zhao Wei (born 1976), an actress and director known for 'My Fair Princess'. Zhao Lusi (born 1998), a popular actress.
What given names go well with the surname Zhao?
Given names for Zhao often reflect its meaning of excellence and ambition. Names like Zhao Ming (明, 'bright') or Zhao Jie (杰, 'outstanding') emphasize achievement. For a more dynamic touch, Zhao Long (龙, 'dragon') or Zhao Hao (浩, 'vast') evoke power. Avoid names that are too passive, as Zhao's ambitious nature pairs well with assertive or aspirational characters.