NameCensus.

UK surname

Zhao

A Chinese surname derived from the ancient state of Zhao, meaning "to excel" or "to outdo others."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, Birmingham and Swansea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Zhao is 946 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

946

2016, ranked #6,062

Peak year

2016

946 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 946 in 2016, ranked #6,062.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Zhao surname distribution map

The map shows where the Zhao surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Zhao surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Zhao over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1997 modern 41 #33,552
1998 modern 49 #33,000
1999 modern 61 #31,971
2000 modern 78 #30,361
2001 modern 75 #30,481
2002 modern 122 #24,874
2003 modern 192 #18,568
2004 modern 245 #15,894
2005 modern 315 #13,375
2006 modern 335 #12,883
2007 modern 396 #11,459
2008 modern 422 #10,992
2009 modern 473 #10,269
2010 modern 685 #7,907
2011 modern 625 #8,412
2012 modern 781 #6,993
2013 modern 839 #6,702
2014 modern 870 #6,536
2015 modern 900 #6,326
2016 modern 946 #6,062

Geography

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Where Zhaos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Liverpool, Birmingham, Swansea and Tower Hamlets. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Liverpool 031 Liverpool
2 Birmingham 135 Birmingham
3 Birmingham 138 Birmingham
4 Swansea 024 Swansea
5 Tower Hamlets 028 Tower Hamlets

Forenames

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First names often paired with Zhao

These lists show first names that appear often with the Zhao surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Zhao

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Zhao, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Zhao surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Zhao household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Zhao is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Zhao is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Zhao falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Zhao is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

This describes the area pattern most associated with Zhao, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Zhao

The surname "ZHAO" is an ancient Chinese family name that originated in the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC – 256 BC) of ancient China. It is believed to have derived from the name of a state called "Zhao" during the Warring States period (475 BC – 221 BC), located in the northern part of present-day Hebei Province.

The earliest recorded use of the surname "ZHAO" can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn period (771 BC – 476 BC) and the Warring States period in Chinese historical records. The name is mentioned in various ancient texts, such as the "Zuo Zhuan" (Commentary of Zuo) and the "Shiji" (Records of the Grand Historian) by Sima Qian.

One of the earliest notable historical figures bearing the surname "ZHAO" was Zhao Zheng (259 BC – 210 BC), also known as Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. He was the founder of the first unified Chinese empire and is known for his significant contributions to Chinese civilization, including the construction of the Great Wall of China and the standardization of the written script, currency, and measurements.

During the Tang Dynasty (618 AD – 907 AD), the "ZHAO" surname gained prominence with the rise of the Zhao clan, a powerful aristocratic family that produced several influential officials and military leaders. One notable figure from this period was Zhao Kuangyin (927 AD – 976 AD), also known as Emperor Taizu of Song, who founded the Song Dynasty and ruled from 960 AD to 976 AD.

Another prominent individual with the surname "ZHAO" was Zhao Ziyang (1919 – 2005), a former Premier of the People's Republic of China from 1980 to 1987. He played a significant role in reforming China's economy and implementing the "reform and opening-up" policies initiated by Deng Xiaoping.

Throughout history, the "ZHAO" surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Zhaoxian (a county in Hebei Province), Zhaoguzhuang (a town in Shandong Province), and Zhaocheng (a city in Shandong Province). Additionally, the surname has been spelled differently in various dialects and regions, such as "Chiu" in Cantonese and "Chou" in Hokkien.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Zhao surname: questions and answers

How common is the Zhao surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 946 in 2016. That gives Zhao a modern rank of #6,062.

What does the Zhao surname mean?

A Chinese surname derived from the ancient state of Zhao, meaning "to excel" or "to outdo others."

What does the Zhao map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Zhao bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.