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

Yao, 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 Yao surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yao in America

Yao is the 4898th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yao surname appeared 7,192 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 Yao.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yao 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 Yao

The surname Yao has its origins in China, where it can be traced back to ancient times. It is believed to have derived from the Chinese word "yao," which means "lofty" or "elevated." The surname was initially associated with people living in mountainous regions or those who held high positions in society.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Yao surname dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), where it was mentioned in historical texts and official records. During this period, the name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Shaanxi, Henan, and Shandong provinces.

In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the Yao surname gained prominence, and several notable figures bearing this name emerged. One such individual was Yao Shu (1201-1278), a renowned scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the Neo-Confucian movement.

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) saw the rise of Yao Guang (1337-1418), a prominent military leader and statesman who played a crucial role in the founding of the Ming Dynasty. His exploits and achievements were well documented in historical accounts.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the Yao surname continued to flourish, with several influential figures leaving their mark. Yao Xueyin (1610-1696) was a prominent scholar and writer who authored several influential works on literature and philosophy.

Another notable figure from this period was Yao Ying (1853-1900), a high-ranking official and military leader who played a pivotal role in the Boxer Rebellion. His bravery and leadership during this tumultuous time were widely praised.

In more recent history, the Yao surname has continued to produce notable individuals across various fields. Yao Ming (born 1980) is a former professional basketball player who gained international recognition for his exceptional talent and accomplishments in the NBA.

It is worth noting that the Yao surname has also been associated with various place names throughout China's history. For example, Yaoxian County in Shaanxi Province and Yaocun Village in Shandong Province bear the name, indicating the presence of Yao families in these regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yao

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

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 Yao 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 Yao 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 Yao was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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