劳 🔊

Origin note

劳 is best explained as a place-name and changed-surname surname rather than from the everyday meaning labor. The most repeated layer connects the surname with Lao Mountain, also written Laoshan or later Laoshan/, in the Qingdao coastal region; some accounts say residents or a group connected with that mountain received or adopted Lao as a surname. 23mofang also records other place layers: a Lao mountain in Guangdong Gaoyao, Laolao Pavilion near Nanjing from the Wu period, and Lao/Lao water near Linfen in Shanxi. Later accounts add changed-surname branches, including minority groups and a Liaoa/-related avoidance story. Baijiayoupu preserves an office-title explanation from a role called laomin quanxiang. The page keeps these as parallel traditions and separates them from the ordinary meaning of toil or work.

Historical figures

Sources checked

• 23mofang surname library: 劳 - Laoshan, Gaoyao Lao mountain, Laolao Pavilion, Lao water, and minority changed-surname layers
• Hao86 Baijiaxing: 劳 - Han-era Laoshan place-name, Bolao, and other transmitted layers
• Wikipedia: 劳姓 - Laoshan, Liaoa-related, Tang Guangxi, and Manchu changed-surname accounts
• Baijiayoupu surname encyclopedia: 劳 - coastal Lao/Laoshan place and office-title account
• Zupulu Lao surname article - South China genealogy and Nanyue-related transmitted account
• Wikisource: Baijiaxing - classic Baijiaxing placement line
• Han Dian: 劳 - basic character meaning and surname listing only