Chao surname ranks 373rd in the "Hundred Surnames" list. In 2007, it was outside the top 300 surnames in China.

Some famous historical figures with the surname Chao:

Chao Cuo: (c. 200–154 BCE), from Yingchuan (now Yu Zhou, Henan). A notable statesman of the Western Han Dynasty. Chao Cuo was a statesman of the early Western Han Dynasty, well-versed in Confucianism and Legalism, and had broad knowledge. He was highly trusted and favored by Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing.

Chao Chong: (born and died years unknown), courtesy name Ziye; from Xiangping, Liaodong. A notable minister of the Later Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period.

His family has been in the official history. Chao Chong was skilled in astronomy and divination, and was well-known at that time. He served as the Grand Historian for Later Yan's founder, Murong Chui. After Murong Bao's defeat at Canhe, he captured Chao Chong and then pardoned him.

The founder loved his skills and treated him very kindly. He accompanied the campaign to the Central Plains, was appointed Grand Historian, and ordered Chao Chong to create the celestial globe, observe the sun, moon, stars, and other heavenly phenomena. He was later promoted to the position of Secretary of the Secretariat, retaining his previous duties.

In the fifth year of Tianxing of Later Yan, there was a halo around the moon, and the left horn was about to be eclipsed. Chao Chong reported, "According to the omens, the insect in the corner will die." At that time, Later Yan's founder had just defeated Yao Ping at Chibi, and based on Chao Chong's prediction, he ordered the army to burn their vehicles and return.

A great epidemic occurred among the cattle, and hundreds of oxen used by the imperial carriage also died on the road on the same day, one after another. That year, nearly 70-80% of the cattle in the country died, and many deer also died.

Chao Yi: (born and died years unknown), younger brother of Chao Chong; from Xiangping, Liaodong. A notable minister of the Later Yan during the Sixteen Kingdoms period.

He was eloquent but less talented than his elder brother Chao Chong. He was good at speaking the language of the northern people and served as an attendant, holding the position of Yellow Gate Attendant. The brothers were both prominent at the same time.

Chao Yi took pride in his appearance and clothing, which exceeded the proper limits. His voice resembled that of the founder (he imitated the founder's speech very closely). Whenever the attendants heard his voice, they were startled. The founder knew this and disliked him.

Later, his family slave accused Chao Chong and Chao Yi of plotting rebellion, and also secretly communicated with the defected minister Wang Cicuo, inviting Yao Xing. The founder was angry. When Yao Xing attacked Pingyang, the imperial carriage defeated them. The founder believed the slave's words were true, and upon returning to Jin Yang, he arrested Chao Chong and his brother and ordered them to commit suicide.

Chao Shuo zhi: (1059–1129 CE), courtesy name Yidao, also known as Bo Yi. Because he admired Sima Guang's character, he called himself Jingyu Sheng; from Puyang, Henan. A famous Song dynasty ink-making master and classical scholar.

Chao Shuo zhi was admitted to the jinshi examination in the fifth year of Yuanfeng of Emperor Shen Zong (1082 CE). In the early years of Yuan You of Emperor Zhe Zong, he served as the judicial officer of Yanzhou. During the Shengshi period, he was a professor at Suzhou. During the Yufu period, he was the magistrate of Wuan County in Cizhou.

In the second year of Chongning of Emperor Huizong (1103 CE), he served as the magistrate of Wujixian in Dingzhou. Later, he was involved in the party case. During the Dagu and Zhenghe periods, he supervised the shipbuilding factory in Mingzhou, and was later appointed as the assistant judge of Fuzhou.

During the Xuanhe period, he served as the magistrate of Chengzhou, and soon retired from office.

When Emperor Qinzong ascended the throne, he was summoned as a literary advisor, and was appointed as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites and the secretary of the Secretariat. Due to differences in opinions, he was demoted.

When Emperor Gaozong came to power, he was summoned as a tutor, and later became the director of the Dongxiao Palace in Hangzhou.

He died in the third year of Jianyan (1129 CE) at the age of seventy-one.

He wrote the "Songshan Wenji" (also known as "Jingyu Sheng Ji") twenty volumes. His story is recorded in the appendix written by his grandson Jian, the postscript of the collection of writings, and in the relevant poems and essays within the collection.

He was well-versed in the Five Classics, especially in the study of the Book of Changes. He was also a creative writer and painter, and had extensive teacher-friend relationships with the writers of the Su School and the Jiangxi Poetry School, such as Su Shi and Huang Tingjian. Due to his submission of a memorial during the Yuanfu period that led to being included in the party case, his career was extremely difficult, and he spent a long time in low-ranking positions. His life spanned six dynasties: Emperor Renzong, Shenzong, Zhezong, Huizong, Qinzong, and Gaozong, making him a rare "Yuanyou celebrity" who entered the Southern Song Dynasty.

Chao Jiong: (948–1031 CE), courtesy name Mingyuan, the great-grandfather of Chao Shuo zhi. A notable minister of the Song Dynasty.

He passed the jinshi examination in the fifth year of Taiping Xingguo of the Northern Song Dynasty (980 CE). He was well-versed in literature and history, and held various positions such as the Judge of the Supreme Court, Minister of the Ministry of Works, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Tutor to the Crown Prince.

When Emperor Zhenzong was in the Eastern Palace, he often praised his academic conduct. After ascending the throne, he was promoted to Right Corrector of the Historical Office. He submitted the "Xianping Xinshu" fifty chapters and the "Lishu" one chapter, and was promoted to the Hanlin Academy. Later, he submitted the "Yuqing Zhaoying Gong Song," and his son Zongcao also submitted the "Jingling Gong Qingcheng Ge," praising the merits of the officials. Jiong was loyal and upright, frequently advising Emperor Renzong to reform and bring order to the state, which greatly pleased the emperor.

Chao Jiong was skilled in breathing and health preservation techniques, and was familiar with Buddhist and Taoist texts. He was kind-hearted, simple, and lived by the Dao, always acting impartially. Emperor Zhenzong often praised him as a learned and virtuous person. His works include "Hanlin Ji" thirty volumes, "Dao Yuan Ji" fifteen volumes, "Fazang Suijin Lu" ten volumes, "Qizhi Quanshu," "Suinyi Jishu," and "Zhaowuxinpian," each three volumes, which were all passed down.

Chao Jiong's sons, Chao Zongque and Chao Zongcao, were both literate. Chao Zongque served as Minister of the Ministry of Works and the Academician of the Longtu Pavilion, with a collection of forty volumes. His grandson, Chao Zhongxi, was honest and trustworthy, with a character similar to his grandfather. From Jiong onwards, the Chao family had eight jinshi scholars over five generations, with thirty-seven local scholars who passed the imperial examinations, and were known as "Half the Court of Chao."

Chao Jiong's tomb is now located in Yangshao Village, Qingfeng, with four large mounds covering thirty acres. Ancient cypress trees shade the area, and fragrant grass covers the ground. Stone statues stand tall, and the spirit path is lined with stone figures. There is a right gate in front, surrounded by walls, and it is called the "Garden Tomb."

Chao Jiong died in the ninth year of Tiansheng of Emperor Renzong (1031 CE) at the age of eighty-four, and was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Tutor and the谥号 "Wenyuan."

Chao Zongque: (985–1069 CE), courtesy name Shiliang, the son of Chao Jiong; from Puyang, Henan. A notable minister of the Northern Song Dynasty.

With the help of his father's influence, he became a librarian in the Secretariat. He was summoned for an examination and granted the degree of jinshi, and was appointed as a compiler in the Hall of Records, later promoted to the position of Assistant Judge of the Supreme Court, and then to the Director of the Jixian Library and the Official for Editing Imperial Collections. When Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, he was promoted to the Position of Middle Chancellor and the Assistant Compiler of the Annals. In the Tiansheng period, he proposed reducing the supply, cultivating idle land, selecting prison officials, and ordering the regional governors to recommend county magistrates. He was appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Ceremonies and the Secretary of the Edicts.

When Yuan Hao attacked the Song Dynasty, Zongque was in charge of the Shaanxi region and discussed strategies for defense and attack with Xia Song, and was appointed as the Deputy Chancellor. Due to illness, he requested to resign and was appointed as the Academician of the Zizheng Pavilion and the Assistant Minister. Soon after, he died and was posthumously awarded the title of Minister of the Ministry of Works and the谥号 "Wenzhuang."

Chao Bu zhi: (1053–1110 CE), courtesy name Wujiu, style name Guilai Zi; from Jizhou Juye. A famous literary figure and painter of the Song Dynasty.

Chao Chong zhi: (born and died years unknown), courtesy name Yongshu, also known as Chuandao; from Jizhou Juye (now Shandong Juye), the younger brother of Chao Bu zhi. A famous Song Dynasty lyricist.

Chao Gongwu: (born and died years unknown), courtesy name Zizhi; originally from Chan Prefecture Qingfeng (now Henan Qingfeng), later moved to Jizhou Juye (now Shandong Juye). A notable official and literary figure of the Song Dynasty.

He came from a family of scholars. His seven-generation ancestor, Chao Jiong, was a famous scholar and served as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. His grandfather, Chao Zongque, and great-grandfather, Chao Zhongyan, were also well-educated scholars. His father, Chongzhi, courtesy name Shuyong, was renowned for his poetry and was a writer of the Jiangxi Poetry School. His uncles, Chao Buzhi and Chao Shuozhi, were also famous scholars who were well-known for their integrity and writings.

As a child, Chao Gongwu was immersed in books. During the Jingkang War, he fled to Sichuan with his family for safety, living in Jiading Fu (now Leshan, Sichuan). The family's collection of books was largely destroyed during the war.

In the second year of Shaoxing of the Song Dynasty (1132 CE), he passed the jinshi examination, and later served as an assistant official under the Vice Governor of Sichuan, Jing Du.

In the seventeenth year of Shaoxing, he served as the magistrate of Gongzhou (now Chongqing), and later as the magistrate of Rongzhou (now Rong County, Sichuan), Hezhou (now Hechuan, Chongqing), and Luzhou (now Luzhou, Sichuan).

In the early years of Longxing, he entered the capital as a郎中 of the Ministry of Personnel and an inspector. In the second year of Longxing (1164 CE), he served as the Inspector of the Secretariat and later as the Right Corrector of the Imperial Inspection Bureau, the Chamberlain, and the Inspector.

He proposed a series of measures to address the problems of excessive officials and unjustified privileges at the time. In the fourth year of Gan Dao of the Song Dynasty (1168 CE), he was appointed as the Director of the Fujin Pavilion and the安抚使 of Sichuan. In the fifth year of Gan Dao, he was appointed as the Academician of the Fujin Pavilion and rebuilt the Guanghui Granary in Sichuan to provide relief to the starving people. In the seventh year of Gan Dao, he was ordered to serve as the Deputy Magistrate of Lin'an and was promoted to the Position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After retiring, he spent his later years in Fawen Village, Jiading Fu, Sichuan.

Chao Gongwu was a famous bibliographer of the Song Dynasty. He was deeply devoted to books and learning since childhood. Although most of the family's books were destroyed by fire, his determination did not wane. While serving as an assistant official under Jing Du, he helped Jing Du compile and print books, establishing a deep friendship. After Jing Du was dismissed from office, he gave Chao Gongwu fifty cases of books. Based on these books and his own collection, he "eliminated duplicates and obtained more than 24,500 volumes."

In the 21st year of Shaoxing, while serving as the magistrate of Rongzhou, he used the "three places in the remote area with little work" to spend his days correcting errors and summarizing the main ideas of each volume. Finally, he completed the initial draft of "Junzhai Dushu Zhi" and continuously revised and supplemented it before his death.

He died during the Chunxi period of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Chao Gongsu: (born and died years unknown), also known as Gong suo, courtesy name Zi Xi, the younger brother of Chao Gongwu; from Jizhou Juye. A notable literary figure of the Song Dynasty.

He passed the jinshi examination in the eighth year of the Shaoxing period of Emperor Gaozong. There is no record in historical documents, but according to his collected poems and essays, we know that after passing the examination, he served as the Magistrate of Liangshan, the Military Judge of Luozhou, the Assistant Judge of Shizhou, and in the late Shaoxing period, he served as the Magistrate of Liangshan. In the early years of Gande of Emperor Xiao Zong, he served as the Magistrate of Meizhou, and later as the Inspector of the Criminal Affairs of the Tongchu Fu Road, and was promoted to the Position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War.

He wrote the "Songshan Jushi Wenji" fifty-four volumes, published in the fourth year of Gan Dao (1168 CE). He also wrote "Baojing Tang Gao," but it is now lost.

Chao Duanli: (1046–1113 CE), courtesy name Ciying; originally from Chan Prefecture Qingfeng (now Henan Qingfeng), later moved to Pengmen (now Xuzhou, Jiangsu). A famous poet of the Song Dynasty.

Chao Xian: (born and died years unknown), courtesy name Xianqing; from Anhui. A notable official of the Yuan Dynasty. In the third year of Taizheng of the Yuan Dynasty (1326 CE), he served as the governor of Pingjiang Road, maintaining self-discipline and ensuring that no one dared to interfere with personal matters. He promoted education, encouraged agriculture and sericulture, and eliminated corruption, earning praise at the time. He eventually served as the governor of Pingjiang.

Chao Yiu: (unknown birth and death years – 1560 CE), courtesy name Shijun, style name Chuntong, Jinghu; from Kaizhou (now Puyang, Henan). A famous bibliographer of the Ming Dynasty. He passed the jinshi examination in the twentieth year of Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty (1554 CE) and served as the Academician of the National University. He liked collecting books and was skilled in poetry and prose. His literary works include "Chao Shi Baowentang Shumu," which categorizes three sub-sections and records 7,829 types of books, widely documenting vernacular stories, novels, operas, and legends from the Yuan and Ming dynasties, preserving valuable materials for the study of Chinese ancient novel and opera history.

Some famous modern figures with the surname Chao:

Chao Fuhuan: (b. 1942), female; originally from Hubei, born in Tianjin. A renowned technical major general of the People's Liberation Army and a military medical expert. In 1993, Chao Fuhuan served as vice president of the Academy of Military Medicine, PLA. On July 22, 1994, she was awarded the rank of technical major general.

Chao Haoguan (born February 14, 1955): born in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, a tenor singer living in Argentina, currently serving as a special professor at the Art College of the People's Liberation Army.

Chao Enxiang (born 1935): current chief expert in the Department of Internal Medicine at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. A mentor for the third and fourth batches of old Chinese medicine inheritors. A member of the central health care consultation team. One of the leading figures in the internal medicine lung disease discipline of the country. A member of the Board of Directors of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a member of the Chinese Medical Association, and a vice-chairman and secretary-general of the Internal Medicine Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chairman of the Emergency Medicine Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Chairman of the Internal Medicine Lung Disease Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. An executive committee member of the Beijing Chinese Medicine Association, and the chairman of the Lung Disease Professional Committee. A member of the State Food and Drug Administration drug evaluation expert, a member of the national basic medical insurance drug directory consulting expert, and a member of the Chinese Medicine Nomenclature Review Committee of the National Science and Technology Terminology Review Committee. A reviewer and editor of eight Chinese medicine journals, including "Chinese Medicine Journal," "Emergency Chinese Medicine Journal," "Beijing Chinese Medicine," and "Clinical Pharmacology of New Chinese Medicine."

Male celebrities with the surname Chao:

Chao Haoguan, Chao Jun, etc.

Female celebrities with the surname Chao:

Chao Ran, etc.