The most common type of grouping is the ABO grouping. Red blood cells have a protein coat on their surface, which distinguishes them. According to this blood is divided into four groups: A (A protein is present), B(B protein is present), AB (AB protein is present) and O (no protein is present).
There are subtypes under this grouping (listed as A1, A2, A1B or A2

some of which are quite rare. Apart from this there is another protein, which plays an important part in the grouping ofblood. This is called the Rh factor.If this is present, the particular blood type is called positive. If it is absent, it is called negative.