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

Zhe, 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 Zhe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zhe in America

Zhe is the 108734th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zhe surname appeared 163 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 Zhe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zhe 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.

The history of the last name Zhe

The surname Zhe has its origins in China and is relatively ancient, dating back to the earlier dynasties. Specifically, it can be traced to the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), a period known for significant developments in Chinese culture and philosophy. The character for Zhe (者) has been used historically in texts and documents, suggesting a usage deeply embedded within the cultural and social fabric of early Chinese society.

The character 者 translates to "one who" or "person engaged in," though its exact meaning as a surname can be more nuanced. One theory posits that it was derived from regional dialects or tribal names in ancient China. The surname is thought to be linked with the eastern regions of China, where records show a concentration of families bearing this name. These areas include present-day provinces like Zhejiang and Jiangsu. The name may have evolved as people migrated and dialects changed over time.

In historical references, the surname Zhe appears in various classical Chinese texts and manuscripts. One such early reference is found in the Book of Han (Han Shu), compiled in the first century CE, where a minor official named Zhe Fu is mentioned. These records indicate the presence of the name among literate and bureaucratic classes, suggesting a certain social standing.

By the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), the use of surnames had become formalized, and the surname Zhe is recorded in genealogical records from that period. The Zhe family, known for their scholarly contributions, is documented in texts like the Complete Records of the Tang, where Zhe Zhiliang, a poet and scholar born in 745 CE, is noted. His works contributed to the cultural and intellectual life of the Tang Dynasty.

Throughout the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), the Zhe surname continued to appear in historical documents. One notable figure is Zhe Xiang, an influential military strategist born in 1089 CE, who served under the famous General Yue Fei. His contributions to military tactics are still studied in Chinese military academies today.

The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE) saw the rise of a merchant family named Zhe from the city of Hangzhou. Zhe Min, born in 1422 CE, established a trading fleet that connected China with Southeast Asia. His family’s wealth and influence grew significantly, and they became patrons of the arts and education.

A more recent historical figure with the surname Zhe is Zhe Youfang, an early 20th-century activist and reformer who played a critical role in the New Culture Movement. Born in 1898 and passing away in 1972, his efforts in promoting education and cultural reform had a lasting impact on modern Chinese society.

These historical references and individuals illustrate the rich and varied legacy of the surname Zhe, reflecting its deep roots in Chinese history and culture. While not among the most common Chinese surnames, its distinctive origins and the noteworthy figures who have borne it contribute to its unique place in the annals of Chinese heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zhe

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

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 Zhe 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.

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

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

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

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