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

Zha, 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 Zha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zha in America

Zha is the 88020th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zha surname appeared 211 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 Zha.

The history of the last name Zha

The surname Zha originates from China and can be traced back to ancient times. It is particularly associated with the Han Chinese but also appears among other Chinese ethnic groups. The earliest origins of the surname can be linked to the imperial era, dating back to the period of the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE). The geographic origin of the Zha surname is believed to be in the central plains of China, particularly in what is now Henan province.

The name Zha has several believed derivations. One of the most prominent explanations is that it originated from the name of an ancient state or tribe known as Zha, using the Chinese character 札. It can also be linked to the Chinese term "to chop” or “to engrave," reflecting professions and activities in ancient times.

Historical references to the Zha surname can be found in classical Chinese texts and genealogical records. During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), the surname Zha started to appear more frequently in historical documents. For example, the genealogical records compiled during this period list several distinguished families bearing the surname.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Zha Fu, who served as a minister during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE). He was known for his administrative skills and contributions to the development of early Han political institutions. Another notable figure was Zha Tong, a general during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE), recognized for his military strategies and defense of the Shu Han state.

Zha Xiang, a renowned poet and scholar of the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), made significant contributions to classical Chinese literature. His works are still studied today for their artistic and cultural value. In the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE), Zha Zhen served as an official and was instrumental in implementing taxation reforms that benefited several regions.

The surname Zha also appears in the records of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE) with notable individuals such as Zha Shuntian, an accomplished painter known for his landscapes and innovative brush techniques. His artworks remain important cultural artifacts within Chinese art history. One final distinguished individual was Zha Gong, a Ming Dynasty naval commander famed for his efforts in coastal defense against pirates.

Throughout history, the surname Zha has been borne by a variety of individuals who made significant contributions to Chinese political, military, literary, and artistic fields. The spread of the surname over time reflects the broadening influence of the families who carried it, making it a name of historical importance within China.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zha

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

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 Zha was:

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.

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 Zha was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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