Liao (Chinese: 廖) is a Chinese surname, most commonly found in Taiwan and Southern China. Statistics show it is among the 100 most common surnames in mainland China; figures from the Ministry of Public Security showed it to be the 61st most common surname, shared by around 4.2 million Chinese citizens.^[1]

The pinyin romanisation of the Mandarin pronunciation is Liào. Its Cantonese pronunciation is generally transcribed as Liu. Other romanisations of the name include Leo, Leow, Liau, Liaw, Liauw, Leeau, Lio, Liow, Leaw, Leou, Lau, Loh, Liu, Liêu, Liew, Liw and Lew.

Notable people surnamed 廖

People with the surname Liao include:

• Ashley Liao (born 2001), American actress
• Bernice Liu (廖碧兒, born 1979), Canadian actress and former TVB model
• Liao Cheng-hao, Minister of Justice of the Republic of China (1996–1998)
• Liao Chengzhi (1908–1983), Chinese politician
• Liao Chi-chun (1902–1976), Taiwanese oil painter and sculptor
• Liao Feng-teh (1951–2008), Taiwanese politician
• Gladys Liu, Hong Kong-born Australian politician
• Liao Hua (died 264), military general
• Liao Hui (born 1942), Hong Kong politician
• Liao Hui (born 1987), Chinese weightlifter
• Liao Liou-yi, Magistrate of Taichung County (1989–1997)
• Martin Liao (born 1957), Hong Kong politician
• Liao Qiuyun (born 1995), Chinese weightlifter
• Liao Tianding
• Liao Yaoxiang (1906–1968), a high-ranking Kuomintang commander
• Liao Yiwu (born 1958), Chinese author and poet
• Liao Zhongkai (1877–1925), Kuomintang leader
• Liau Huei-fang, Deputy Minister of Labor of the Republic of China (2016–2017)
• Liow Han Heng, Singaporean convicted killer