Zhao

Zhao (赵/趙) is one of the most common Chinese surnames. It is borne by a large number of people in China and among Chinese communities abroad. The surname is traditionally linked to the ancient State of Zhao, a major political entity during the Zhou dynasty’s Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The origin of the surname is not singular; it is believed to have derived from the state’s name, though some families trace different lineages, including titles or place names that later became family names.

The State of Zhao was a prominent feudal state in northern China. Established around 403 BCE after Jin’s partition, it lay roughly in what is now parts of Hebei and Shanxi. Zhao was one of the dominant warring states and participated in frequent conflicts with Qin and other neighbors. It produced renowned generals such as Li Mu and Lian Po, and its powers were gradually eroded by Qin until 228 BCE, when Zhao was conquered during the campaigns that culminated in Qin’s unification of China.

Outside of surnames, Zhao appears in toponyms and modern administrative divisions. Zhao County (Zhaoxian) in Hebei Province is named after the historical state. The name also appears in various transliterations in different languages and is carried by people across East Asia and the Chinese diaspora.