Diao Family History

Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 刁 meaning ‘trick’ in Chinese: (i) said to be adopted in place of the homophonous character Diao (雕) the name of a state during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC). (ii) from the second element of the personal name Shu Diao (豎刁) personal name of a famous official during the reign of the Duke Huan of Qi (ruler of the state of Qi died 643 BC); or said to be borne by descendants of Diao Bo (貂勃 also written as 刁勃) an official and a hermit who lived in the state of Qi during the Warring States period (475–221 BC) who was said to be also a descendent of Shu Diao (豎刁).

(iii) also adopted in place of other surnames by some minority ethnic groups from Southwestern China. West African (Senegal and Burkina Faso): name of Fulani origin which corresponds to Dia.