Xiao or 萧 - The Roots of Chinese Surnames: Exploring Heritage and History

The surname Xiao (萧) is one of the most culturally rich and historically significant names in Chinese history.

With multiple independent origins spanning thousands of years and several dynasties, the name Xiao is closely linked with heroism, scholarship, statecraft, and royalty.

Among the many stories behind this surname, three primary lineages stand out.

The Ancient Xiao State from the Xia Dynasty

The earliest recorded origin of the Xiao surname traces back to Meng Kui (孟亏), a descendant of Boyi—a legendary noble who helped Yu the Great control the floods.

Meng Kui inherited his ancestor’s skill in taming wild animals and became a favored subject of the Xia king.

In recognition of his talent, he was granted land as a vassal.

The region was abundant in a type of fragrant mugwort called "Xiao," and so his fiefdom was named the State of Xiao.

His descendants later adopted "Xiao" as their surname to honor their homeland.

The Clan of Xiao Daxin in the Spring and Autumn Period

The most widely recognized origin of the Xiao surname comes from Xiao Daxin, a member of the royal family of the State of Song during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 403 BC).

When a civil conflict erupted in Song, Daxin led troops to suppress the rebellion with courage and strategy.

Grateful for his service, Duke Huan of Song enfeoffed him at Xiao City, where he established a new State of Xiao.

In 597 BCE, the State of Xiao was conquered by the rising power of Chu.

Although Daxin’s descendants made several attempts to restore their homeland, they ultimately failed.

In remembrance of their fallen state, they adopted “Xiao” as their family name.

Centuries later, this line produced two of the most distinguished figures in Chinese history:

• Xiao He, the brilliant strategist who played a key role in helping Liu Bang (256 BC – 195 BC) found the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD);

  
  

• Xiao Wangzhi (about 114 BC – 47 AD), a respected Confucian scholar and statesman.

Their legacy strengthened the prestige of the Xiao surname, which would continue to rise through history.

During the Southern Dynasties (420 – 589), members of the Xiao family even established two powerful imperial regimes: Southern Qi (479 – 502) and Southern Liang (502 – 557).

Xiao as the Royal Surname of the Liao Dynasty

A later origin of the Xiao surname comes from the Liao Dynasty (916 – 1125), founded by the Khitan people.

The second emperor of Liao, Yelü Deguang (902 – 947), admired the wisdom and loyalty of Xiao He, the great Han Dynasty chancellor.

Inspired by his example, Yelü Deguang bestowed the surname Xiao upon several of the Liao Empire’s most important noble clans.

He hoped they would emulate Xiao He's intelligence, loyalty, and statecraft to help him build a prosperous empire.

Over time, Xiao became the most prominent surname in the Liao royal court.

The Enduring Legacy of the Xiao Surname

Across millennia, the Xiao surname has endured through warfare, dynastic change, and cultural transformation.

Whether rooted in the Xia Dynasty, the noble clans of the Spring and Autumn period, or the imperial houses of Liao, all branches of the Xiao family share a heritage of resilience, talent, and deep cultural pride.

Over generations, individuals bearing the Xiao name have left their mark in politics, military affairs, philosophy, literature, and the arts.

Today, Xiao remains a common surname in China, cherished not only for its noble origins but also for the values of loyalty, wisdom, and cultural strength it continues to represent.