Rao (surname)
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Rao is a common surname across India, Pakistan, China, Taiwan, Italy and Brazil. Rao is also used as an addition to one's name or as a suffix to a male name in some places.
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[edit] Origin of Rao's of India
Rao is commonly added as a suffix to a man's name in southern and western parts of India, in particular in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Konkan/Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. The name originally derives from the title "Rao Bahadur" (the cognate of "Raja Bahadur" or valiant prince) given to men from some landed families, but has lost that meaning over time. It is now used in place of the original surnames in many instances, and women have adopted it as a common last name as well. Variants of the name include "Rai", "Raja", "Rayudu", "Rayar", "Rayulu", "Raut", "Raya", "Rana" and others. In the Gujarati diaspora, Rao is a common name among the Bramhabhatta or Barot community, and is believed to have been bestowed on the community by the Moghal king Akbar. India's ex-prime minister Narasimha Rao (whose last name is often featured in the NY Times crossword puzzle) is a native of Andhra Pradesh in South India.
[edit] Rao's of Pakistan
The majority of Raos in Pakistan are Muslim Punwar (Pawar) and Chauhan Rajputs. Raos can be found all across Pakistan and are found in large numbers in the Punjab Province. Raos are the brave people of the country as the majority of Raos are in Army forces of Pakistan. A very Large number of Rao also play an important part in the provincial and national assemblies of Pakistan.In 2002 elections of Pakistan, Rajputs were in the largest number in assemblies. The Rao are famous for their customs, norms and traditions. Rao families prefer to marry in their own caste. After Indo Pak partition majority of Rao got settled in cities of , Bahawalnagar, Khanewal , Lahore , Chichawatni, Pakpattan, Burewala , Vehari, Bahawalpur, Haroonabad, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan and Lahore.
Rao Sikandar Iqbal was the Defence Minister of Pakistan from 2002 to 2007. General Ifthikar Rao Chaudary belongs to this caste. Also, Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman (CHief of staff, Pakistan Air Force). Rao Mohammad Hashim Khan is one of the oldest and senior members of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Rao Muhammad Afzal Khan (born 1925 in Kalanore, India) was a politician in Pakistan. In 1952, he was elected as MPA from Sahiwal District tehsil Depalpur. He went on to win election an additional four times as Member Provincial Assembly and twice as a Member National Assembly in 1985 and 1988. Rao Khyzer Hayat Khan (Late), Chairman District Council Kasur 1982, MNA 1985–2000. Rao Iftikhar Anjum Pakistani cricketer. It has representation in civil bureaucracy as well. Rao Abdur Rashid (former IG Punjab), Rao Iftikhar (Home Secretary Punjab), Rao Muhammad Iqbal (DIG Police)and Rao Amin Hashim (DIG Police) are few prominent names in civil bureaucracy of Pakistan. Recently, Arif Aslam Rao has qualified the Central Superior Services (CSS) exams and has been allocated to the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP).
[edit] Rao's of China and Taiwan
The surname Rao (Chinese: 饒; pinyin: Ráo) is found in China and Taiwan. However, it is not limited to just those geographical areas, but is also found in many other places in the world where people of Chinese descent reside. Literally, the surname means "abundant", "plentiful", "to spare", or "to forgive".
The surname Rao is approximately 2200 years old, originated in the area near present-day Linfen county in Shanxi province. Its origin derives from Ji Fa, the leader of the powerful Zhou Clan, which destroyed the Shang Dynasty (1783BC to 1122BC) and established the Zhou Dynasty (1134BC to 256BC). Ji Fa was installed as King Wu of Zhou who moved his capital from Qishan (present day Qishan city in Shaanxi province) to Hao (present day Xi'an city in Shaanxi province).
King Wu of Zhou inherited a vast country, but the primitive communications at that time made it impossible to govern such a big country efficiently. He was desperately in need of capable personnel to administer his empire. So he delegated authority to his relatives, officials, generals and aristocrats to rule on his behalf. By doing so he created a large number of vassal states in the land. No one really knew how many of them. According to the historical records there were more than 170 vassal States during the Zhou Dynasty. All the vassal States must acknowledged Zhou King Wu and later the future Kings' suzerainty.
King Wu rewarded his commander-in-chief named Jiang Ziya with authority to rule a district called Yingqiu (present day Linzi county in Shandong province). King Wu also bestowed upon him the inheritable title of Marquis. District of Yingqiu was renamed as the State of Qi. Jiang Ziya was known as Jiang Hou. He appointed an official to administer a settlement called Rao'an (present day in the area of Qingzhou city in Shandong province).
In 543BC Zhao Wu Xu , a powerful general in the armed forces of the State of Jin (present day Yi Cheng county in Shanxi province), plotted with two of the most powerful families in the State: the family of Han, and the family of Wei to have the State of Jin carved up into three States. These three States were: the State of Zhao (present day Handan county in Hebei province), the State of Wei (present day Anyi county in Shanxi province) and the State of Han (present day Lin Fen county in Shanxi provunce).
Dao Xiang Wang was the ruler of the State of Zhao. He ruled Zhao from 244BC to 235BC. There was a general by the name Pang Nuan in the Zhao armed forces. In 241BC the States of Zhao and Yan (present day Beijing) were at war. Pang Nuan, who was in command of the Zhao forces, defeated the Yan army. The State of Qi was in friendly term with the State of Qin (present day Fengxiang county in Shaanxi province). The State of Zhao was in antagonism with the State of Qin. In order to show the State of Qi that it should not be in friendly term with Qin, Pang Nuan occupied the town Rao'an which was under the jurisdiction of Qi. General Pang Nuan told Qi that he would not withdraw unless Qi broke off the friendship with Qin. However, the ruler of the State of Qi did not budge and General Pang Nuan annexed Rao'an as a part of the State of Zhao.
The offspring of the administrator of Rao'an adopted Rao as their surname in remembrance of their fallen city.
(cited from: [1], 4/11/2007)
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[edit] Rao's of Italy
The Sicilian-Calabrian Italian surname Rao is pronounced in the Italian language similarly to the Indian pronunciation, although in the United States many Raos of Italian descent pronounce the name "RAY-O." One such example is Rao's in New York City, the Rao family of Rhode Island, and the Rao family of Charlotte, North Carolina (http://www.jayrao.net).
[edit] Rao's of Brazil
Most of the people with Rao surname in Brazil are the descendants of Italian settlers in Brazil. Quite a few people in Brazil still have Rao as their surname.
