Liao
A common Chinese surname, most often linked to the ancient state and place name Liao.
The #4,177 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 36,400 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Liao is a Chinese surname written with the character 廖 in modern usage. It is generally understood as a surname that came from an old place or state name, ultimately tied to the historical Liao name in early Chinese sources. In English contexts it is usually treated simply as a romanization of a Chinese family name rather than as a word with an independent English meaning.
History
The surname is well established in China and among the Chinese diaspora. In modern English-language records it often appears in the pinyin spelling Liao, though older romanizations and non-Mandarin readings can differ. Because the provided excerpts do not actually discuss this surname’s origin, they are not useful for etymology here.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In modern pinyin, Liao can represent different Chinese characters and different surname traditions depending on context.
From the historical record
“Henry de C. witnessed a charter of Henry I. to Ilamsey Abbey (Mon. i. 20?). In liaO r.obert de C. and Waller, his son, were of Xotts and Derby, Will!am de C. of Beds, and Bucks (Rot. Pip.). Cayley. from Cailly, near Pouen,”
— The Norman People and their existing descendants in the British dominions and the United States