Chinese surname · rank 60

廖

廖 is read as liào.

Pinyin

liào

Script forms

Simplified and traditional 廖

Basic meaning

empty or few in older usage

Five element

Fire

Origin

Time: Ancient state-name tradition with Spring and Autumn textual attestations; Spring and Autumn tradition, 770-476 BCE

Place: Ancient Liao locality traditions centered on Henan, especially Huyang/Tanghe and Gushi traditions; broader border-region wording needs separate source support.

Origin note

A conservative Liao origin note traces the surname to traditions around an ancient Liao state, while avoiding a single over-specific locality. Han Dian records Liao as an ancient state name and surname; Zuozhuan preserves Spring and Autumn references to Liao, including Liao among states opposing Chu and a later passage where Chu destroyed Liao.

Historical figures

廖仲恺 (Liao Zhongkai)

1877-1925 CE · revolutionary figure

A modern political figure associated with Sun Yat-sen's movement.

廖化 (Liao Hua)

died 264 CE · Shu Han general

A Three Kingdoms military figure in Shu Han.

Sources checked

Han Dian: Liao - Liao as surname; Liao as ancient state name; Han shu note linking Huyang county with former Liao state
Chinese Text Project: Zuozhuan, Duke Huan year 11 - Spring and Autumn textual attestation of Liao among states opposing Chu
Chinese Text Project: Zuozhuan, Duke Wen year 5 - Spring and Autumn textual attestation of Chu destroying Liao

廖 🔊

Origin note

Historical figures

廖仲恺 (Liao Zhongkai)

廖化 (Liao Hua)

Sources checked

廖