Jo Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

The surname Jo is of Korean origin. In Korean, Jo (조) is a common family name and usually written with the Hanja character 曺. There are several theories about the origin and meaning of this surname.
One theory suggests that the surname Jo originated from the ancient state of Jo (秦), which was an independent polity during the Three Kingdoms period in Korea (57 BC – 668 AD). According to this theory, Jo is said to have originated from the royal Ji clan of Pyeongyang, the ruling family of the state of Jo.
Another theory proposes that the surname Jo derived from the Chinese surname Cao (曹). The character 曺, which is used to write the Jo surname in Korea, is a variant of the Chinese character 曹. It is believed that Chinese immigrants brought the surname to Korea during different historical periods.
Regarding family history, as with any surname, the history and origins of individual Jo families would differ. It would be necessary to delve into the specific family's genealogy and ancestral line to explore their unique family history and origins.

1. Jo is a surname of Korean origin.
2. The surname Jo is derived from the Korean word "Cho," which means "the best" or "the greatest."
3. Jo is a very common surname in South Korea, and it is estimated that over 2 million people in the country bear this surname.
4. The Jo surname is ranked 6th among the most common surnames in South Korea.
5. The Jo family is one of the most ancient noble families in Korea, tracing their lineage back to the founding of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).
6. The Jo family has produced numerous notable figures throughout Korean history, including scholars, politicians, and military leaders.
7. The surname Jo is also found among Korean diaspora communities around the world, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
8. The variants of the Jo surname may include Cho, Joo, Jou, or Choe, depending on the romanization system used.
9. The Jo surname can also be found in other East Asian countries like China and Japan, but its origin and lineage differ from the Korean Jo lineage.
10. In Korea, the surname Jo is often written with the Chinese character 赵 (Zhao) or 曺 (Cao), which are pronounced as "Jo" in Korean.

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