[Interpretation]

Zhao conveys the meaning of "walking swiftly" or "leaping/surpassing." The character symbolizes speed and agile movement.

[Origin]

As descendants of the Yellow Emperor, the earliest branch of the Zhao surname traces back to the lineage of Zhao Liang, a minister to the Xia Dynasty's last ruler, Jie (whose capital was Zhenxun, southwest of present-day Gongyi, Henan).

• The Ancestry: The leader of the Dongyi tribe, Bo Yi, was bestowed with the surname Ying by Emperor Shun.

• The Master Charioteer: His ninth-generation descendant, Zao Fu, acquired eight magnificent steeds in the Taolin area (present-day Lingbao, Henan). After training them perfectly, he presented them to King Mu of Zhou.

• The Crisis: During one of King Mu’s western expeditions to the Kunlun Mountains, news arrived that King Yan of Xu (in present-day Sihong County, Jiangsu) had staged a rebellion.

• The Feat: At this critical moment, Zao Fu drove the chariot, covering a thousand li in a single day, enabling King Mu to return to the capital, Haojing, swiftly and defeat the rebellion in time.

• The Reward: Because of Zao Fu’s great merit, King Mu bestowed upon him the City of Zhao (present-day north of Hongtong County, Shanxi). From that point on, Zao Fu became known as Zhao Fu, and his descendants adopted the city's name as their surname.