Zangla last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Zangla is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Zangla.

Meaning of Zangla

A surname originating from a regional Italian place name.

Zangla, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Zangla surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zangla in America

Zangla is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zangla surname appeared 128 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zangla.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zangla to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 132206 127948 3.27%
Count 128 123 3.98%
Proportion per 100k 0.04 0.05 -22.22%

The history of the last name Zangla

The surname Zangla has its roots in the mountainous regions of Tibet, with a specific origin in the village of Zangla in the present-day Indian union territory of Ladakh. The name is derived from the Tibetan word "Zang," which means copper, and "la," which stands for pass or mountain pass. This name likely emerged during the early medieval period, with historical records indicating its usage in the 11th century when the village of Zangla was a significant cultural and administrative center.

Historical references to the name Zangla can be found in ancient Tibetan manuscripts and records from the Ladakh Chronicles. The Chronicles, which chronicle the history of Ladakh and surrounding areas, mention the village of Zangla several times, indicating its importance. One of the earliest recorded usages of the surname Zangla as a family name appears in a 14th-century Tibetan manuscript, which belonged to the royal family of Zangla village.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Zangla was Thubten Zangla, a notable monk and scholar born around 1390. He was known for his contributions to Tibetan Buddhist literature and philosophy. Thubten Zangla's works were influential in the spread of Buddhism in the region, making his surname notable in religious contexts.

In the 17th century, another prominent figure with the surname appeared: Tsering Zangla, a renowned painter born in 1623. His murals in the monasteries of Zangla and other parts of Ladakh are celebrated for their vibrant colors and intricate details. Tsering Zangla's art has been studied extensively and is considered an integral part of Himalayan art history.

During the 18th century, the surname Zangla expanded beyond the Tibetan and Ladakhi regions, as trade and migration increased. One notable figure from this period was Dorje Zangla, a merchant born in 1745 who played a crucial role in establishing trade routes between Ladakh and the neighboring regions. Dorje Zangla's efforts facilitated economic growth and cultural exchange in the area.

In the 19th century, the surname Zangla remained prominent, with Rinchen Zangla, born in 1812, being a distinguished figure. Rinchen Zangla was a historian who documented the rich history of Ladakh and the Zangla region, ensuring that the cultural heritage was preserved for future generations. His historical accounts are still referenced by scholars studying the history of the Ladakh region.

Moving into the early 20th century, Phuntsok Zangla, born in 1887, became a notable figure. A politician and social reformer, Phuntsok Zangla was instrumental in advocating for the rights of the Ladakhi people and promoting educational reforms. His efforts contributed significantly to the modernization of the Zangla region and its integration into the broader Indian political framework.

Throughout its history, the surname Zangla has been associated with various notable figures, contributing to areas such as religion, art, trade, history, and politics. The legacy of the name continues to be of historical and cultural significance, primarily within the regions influenced by Tibetan and Ladakhi heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zangla

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Zangla.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zangla was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 98.44% 126
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Zangla has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 98.44% 99.00% -0.57%
Black (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Hispanic (S)% 0.00% (S)%

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Zangla was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zangla, please contact us.

Reference this page

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Zangla last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zangla-surname-popularity/.

"Zangla last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zangla-surname-popularity/. Accessed 27 May, 2025

Zangla last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/zangla-surname-popularity/.

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