Surname Dhao - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dhao: What does the surname Dhao mean?
The last name Dhao is primarily found in India, and is believed to be of Hindu origin. In that region, it is derived from the Sanskrit word 'dha' which means ‘to give or to distribute’. It is likely that those bearing the Dhao surname originally were members of a caste which made its living through giving alms to the poor or distributing resources within their community. The name Dhao could also have arisen from the name of a particular village in which its original bearers lived long ago.
In modern times, those bearing the name Dhao are found chiefly throughout India’s northern and central regions, as well as in Nepal. They make up one of several distinct groups of Indian society, with a hierarchy based more on determining lineage than on economic status. As a result of this system, the Dhao people typically hold prominent positions in their communities, often as retailers of goods, civil servants, or village-level government officials.
The Dhao people are traditionally renowned for their large families which frequently show strong loyalty not only to one another but also to their communities. In modern times, members of the Dhao community often help each other out in times of need, offering support and assistance in a variety of areas. This sense of collective identity has enabled the Dhao to persist as a distinct social group, maintaining their unique traditions even as the rest of India has experienced significant changes in recent times.
Order DNA origin analysisDhao: Where does the name Dhao come from?
The last name Dhao is mainly found in the Central African country of Chad. This is due to its large Chadic-speaking population, which includes the Daza and Gwama ethnic groups. The Daza people, in particular, are known for their production of traditional pottery and terracotta figurines.
The original meaning of the last name is believed to be derived from the Arabic word, ‘dhah’, meaning ‘country people’. This could potentially suggest that the Dhao family were originally nomadic farmers who moved to southern Chad centuries ago.
In recent years, the surname Dhao has become increasingly popular among African immigrants, especially those residing in the United States. There is a sizable Dhao family in Georgia and Tennessee, and an even bigger clan residing around New York City.
Additionally, there is a small but significant Dhao population in the United Kingdom. This has been primarily attributed to the large influx of immigrants from African countries in recent decades.
In Chad, the last name Dhao is relatively widespread, and many Chadians still bear the name today. As a result, the surname is likely to continue to spread globally, owing to the increased mobility of people.
Variations of the surname Dhao
The surname Dhao has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from a Gujarati title given to an administrative officer in a village. Over time, this title was adopted as a surname. The variants of Dhao depend on the language and region.
The variants of Dhao generally found in India are Dhow, Dhaw, Dhawe, Dho, Dhoo, Dhon, Dhooe, Dhore, Dhorey, Dhori, Dhur, and Dhuri. Depending on the language, some of these variants adopt slight variations in spelling such as Dhaw, Dhav, Daow, Dhove, etc.
Outside of India, Dhao is also found as the surnames Daw, Deo, Deau, Devo, Daisy, and Doe. In France, some families have the spelling variant Dhau, which has been used for centuries.
In addition to the variants of Dhao, the surnames Chauhan, Powar, Sodha, Bhuva, Shrimal, Dev, and Chudasama are all related to the same origin. These surnames are connected to members of the royal families of Gujarat and Rajasthan, India. All these spellings trace back to the same title, and are a sign of the people's ancestral background.
Regardless of the variant, the surname Dhao has the same origin. It is a title that was adapted centuries ago to identify the administrative officer of a village, and the variations of the surname have been used by families to this day.
Famous people with the name Dhao
- Pritam Singh Dhao: the first Sikh Judge in the United States, based in Los Angeles.
- Hardeep Singh Dhao: a successful actor, producer and director from Punjab, India.
- Karishma Dhao: a singer, songwriter and performer from India.
- Reena Dhao: an entrepreneur and motivational speaker based in India.
- Sapna Dhao: the founder and CEO of a life coaching and training company in India.
- Pushpa Dhao: a social worker and political activist in India.
- Shailesh Dhao: a prominent journalist and media personality in India.
- Pinsh Dhao: a filmmaker and voice artist from Bihar, India.
- Pavan Dhao: an esteemed doctor and cardiologist in India.
- Madan Dhao: a neurosurgeon, based in Delhi.
- Shiva Dhao: a writer, teacher and dramatist from India.
- Amritpal Dhao: a renowned historian, based in Amritsar, India.