Zhā Surname

Surname Overview

Overview

The surname 扎 is pronounced Zhā. It is rare, ranks 488th, and has a population of about 60,000.

Reference: 《扎 》姓氏_排名_起源_百家姓 - JSON中文网

Origins

The surname is associated with a Tubo surname, a Mongol surname, and the Chinese surname adopted by the Zhasihuli clan of the Xibe people in Xinjiang.

Reference: 扎姓_扎姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Traditional Territory and Clans

The surname's place of origin is identified as Zhangzhung, with traditional territory covering present-day Ngari, Ladakh, and upper Ü-Tsang. It is divided into the Sai, Qiong, and Zha clans, with twelve subdivisions.

Reference: 炎黄扎氏网-扎姓网-扎氏族谱-扎氏宗亲联谊会

Historical Records

Ethnic Groups and Records

The surname occurs among Han, Tibetan, and Lahu people and is recorded in Shanxi Population Surname Encyclopedia and New Thousand Family Surnames.

Reference: 扎姓_扎姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Migration and Distribution

Present Distribution

The surname is found in Menglian in Yunnan, Tianjun in Qinghai, Huixian and Zhouqu in Gansu, Taiyuan, Xinzhou, and northern Shanxi, as well as Huainan in Anhui, Liuyang in Hunan, Turpan in Xinjiang, Hsinchu in Taiwan, and Beijing.

Reference: 扎姓_扎姓的来源和历史_百家姓

Research Notes

Name Distinctions

“Zhaxi” should not automatically be parsed according to Han naming conventions as surname Zha and given name Xi. In Lahu male names, the prefix “Zha” denotes male and likewise should not invariably be treated as a surname. Over time, some people may nevertheless come to accept it as one.

Reference: 扎姓_扎姓的来源和历史_百家姓