Find out how popular the last name Lao is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Lao.

Lao, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Lao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lao in America

Lao is the 5856th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lao surname appeared 5,897 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Lao.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lao to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Lao

The surname LAO is of Chinese origin, with roots tracing back to ancient times. It is believed to have originated from the Lao ethnic group, a minority group predominantly found in the southwestern regions of China, particularly in the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), the name LAO was commonly used by members of the Lao ethnic group. Records from this period suggest that the name was derived from the word "lao," which in various Chinese dialects meant "old," "ancient," or "venerable." This connection implies that the surname may have been bestowed upon individuals or families who were respected elders or had a long-standing lineage within their communities.

The earliest known historical reference to the surname LAO can be found in the "Manshu Jingji Zhi," a geographical record compiled during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE). This document mentions several families bearing the LAO surname residing in the regions of Yunnan and Guizhou. Additionally, the "Yunnan Tongzhi," a local gazetteer from the same period, lists several villages and townships with the name "Laojiazhai" or "Laojiatun," indicating the presence of LAO families in those areas.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the LAO surname was Lao Qian (1488-1562), a renowned scholar and poet from Yunnan during the Ming Dynasty. His works, which included poetry collections and commentaries on classical texts, are still studied and revered in literary circles today.

Another notable figure was Lao Nai'xuan (1837-1892), a prominent military leader and strategist from Guizhou. He played a crucial role in suppressing the Miao Rebellion, a significant uprising against the Qing Dynasty, and his tactical prowess earned him widespread recognition.

In the 20th century, Lao She (1899-1966) emerged as one of the most celebrated writers and playwrights in modern Chinese literature. Born Shu Qingchun in Beijing, he adopted the pen name Lao She, which means "old person" or "old sage." His works, such as the novel "Rickshaw Boy" and the play "Teahouse," provided insightful commentary on Chinese society and culture during turbulent times.

Another prominent figure with the LAO surname was Lao Kou (1917-1982), a renowned painter and calligrapher from Sichuan. His unique style, which combined traditional Chinese techniques with modern influences, earned him widespread acclaim both within China and internationally.

Lastly, Lao Lishi (1924-2005), a respected archaeologist and scholar from Yunnan, made significant contributions to the study of ancient Chinese cultures, particularly the Dian Kingdom, which flourished in the region during the late Bronze Age.

While these are just a few examples, the surname LAO has a rich and diverse history, spanning various fields and regions across China. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Lao ethnic group, and it has been carried by many notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lao

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Lao.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Lao was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Lao has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Lao was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lao, please contact us.

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