The surname Zagara originates from Italy, specifically from the southern regions, including Sicily and Calabria, and dates back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Sicilian and Calabrian dialects of Italian. One of the likely origins of the surname Zagara is the Arabic word "zahrah," which means "flower" or "blossom." This etymology points to the period when the Arab-Muslim rule influenced parts of southern Italy, suggesting that the name could have been brought by Arab settlers or traders and subsequently adopted into the local vernacular.

The earliest historical references to the surname Zagara can be traced back to land and property records in the late Middle Ages. In some old manuscripts, the name appears in various forms such as Zagara, Zagarra, and Zahara, reflecting different phonetic interpretations and spellings over time. For example, in a 14th-century Sicilian census document, the name Giovanni di Zagara is recorded as a landowner, signaling the presence and economic involvement of families with the surname in that locale.

Early examples include Pietro Zagara, a 15th-century fisherman from Calabria, whose name appears in a 1467 registry of local tradesmen. Another notable figure is Maria di Zagara, born in 1524, a midwife in Palermo, whose name is mentioned in multiple archival documents related to birth records and midwifery practices of the time. In the 16th century, Francesco Zagara, a merchant operating between Naples and Messina, was documented in trade records detailing commerce in citrus fruits and spices, indicating the family's involvement in regional trade networks.

Place names incorporating the root Zagara or its variants are found in historical maps and documents. For instance, an area near the town of Agrigento in Sicily was once referred to as "Contrada di Zagara," linking the surname to specific geographic locations within the island. Another place name, "Zaharanova," was documented in a 17th-century map of Calabria, likely named after a prominent family or individual from the Zagara lineage.

Among notable persons bearing the surname in historical contexts is Isabella Zagara, born 1609, who was a renowned herbalist and healer in the Calabria region, mentioned in herbal compendiums and local medicinal texts. Equally significant is Leonardo Zagara, a 17th-century poet from Sicily, whose literary contributions are preserved in anthologies of regional poetry and are still studied for their unique cultural insights.

Thus, the surname Zagara carries rich historical connotations, linked to the ancient Mediterranean cultural exchange, evident in its origins and the enduring presence of the name in various historical documents and records across centuries.