Xiao Family History

Chinese: Mandarin form of the surname 蕭 also written as 肖 meaning ‘desolate dreary’ in Chinese: (i) borne by the descendants of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). The Xiao family was one of the six clans of the Shang dynasty that were sent to the state of Lu after the annihilation of the Shang dynasty.

(ii) from Xiao (蕭) the name of a state (located in Xiaoxian in Anhui province) that was granted to Daxin, a noble in the state of Song, because of his contributions to crushing rebellions. After it was annexed by the state of Chu in 597 BC, the name of the state was adopted by some people as a surname.

(iii) said to be borne by descendants of Bo Yi, an official who lived during the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun (c. 23rd century BC).