Yao Family History
Yao Name Meaning
Chinese : from the name of an ancient place (Yao Ruins), in present-day Henan province. According to legend, the model emperor Shun (2257–2205 bc) was conceived and born here, after his mother was so greatly moved by the beauty of a rainbow that she became pregnant. Some of Shun’s descendants later adopted the place name Yao as their surname.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press