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Rao Family History

Rao Surname Meaning

Italian: from a shortened form of the ancient Germanic personal name Radulfo composed of the elements hrōd ‘fame renown’ + wulf ‘wolf’. Compare the English name Ralph.

Indian (southern and western states of India and Orissa): name found in several communities based on Sanskrit rājā ‘king’. The element -rao is freely added to male personal names in certain communities of Maharashtra, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh.

Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 饒 meaning ‘rich abundant’ in Chinese: (i) from Rao (饒), the name of a fief (located in Raoyang in Hebei province) granted to Chang’an Jun (‘Lord of Chang’an’) by King Daoxiang of Zhao (ruler of the state of Zhao, died 236 BC) during the late Warring States period (475–221 BC).

(ii) from Rao (饒), the name of a fief (located in Qingzhou in Shandong province) granted to an official in the state of Qi during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). (iii) from Rao (饒), the name of an ancient state during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). (iv) said to be borne by some descendants of the legendary emperor Yao (c. 24th century BC).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames:

Raj
, Rai
, Ram
, Bao
, Mao
, Rau
, Ray
, Cao
, Raco
, Gao

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Where is the Rao family from?

You can see how Rao families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Rao family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Rao families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 2 Rao families living in Yorkshire. This was 100% of all the recorded Rao's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Rao families in 1891.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Rao surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

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What Rao family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 5,000 census records available for the last name Rao. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Rao census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

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Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Rao. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

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Draft Cards

There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Rao. For the veterans among your Rao ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Rao lifespan?

Between 1943 and 2004, in the United States, Rao life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1962, and highest in 1966. The average life expectancy for Rao in 1943 was 54, and 72 in 2004.

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