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

Zhicay, 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 Zhicay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zhicay in America

Zhicay is the 73666th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zhicay surname appeared 263 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 Zhicay.

The history of the last name Zhicay

The surname Zhicay has its origins in Ecuador, a country located on the west coast of South America. Based on linguistic analysis and historical context, the name appears to derive from indigenous Quechua or other native languages spoken by the indigenous people of the Andean region. It is often found among communities in the highland regions, particularly around the areas of Cuenca and the larger Azuay Province.

The surname Zhicay likely evolved from a word or a phrase in indigenous languages, which were rich in aural tradition and often did not have a standardized written form until later centuries. Early records mentioning this surname are scarce due to the oral traditions of the native populations and the gradual imposition of Spanish colonial rule from the 16th century onwards. Due to this, the surname Zhicay and its derivatives may appear in various spellings in historical documents.

One of the earliest known references to the surname can be found in colonial records from the 1700s, where local census and landowner lists may have included native surnames. Over time, the name has been recorded in various parish records, indicating its endurance and the persistence of indigenous culture despite the pressures of colonization.

Don Manuel Zhicay, born in 1735, is one of the earliest documented individuals with this surname. He was a prominent figure in local government in the late 18th century. Another notable person is Ana Maria Zhicay, born in 1820, who was known for her work with local indigenous communities in Cuenca, advocating for better living conditions and education in the mid-19th century.

In the latter part of the 19th century, Carlos Zhicay (1848–1905) emerged as a significant figure in the agricultural development of the Azuay region. His innovations in farming techniques greatly benefited local crop yields, earning him recognition among his peers. Between the late 19th century and early 20th century, records mention María Teresa Zhicay (1882–1947), who played a key role in the local artisan community, particularly in the traditional art of weaving.

Moving into the 20th century, José Antonio Zhicay (1901–1962) gained prominence as a political leader within indigenous movements, striving for the preservation of cultural rights and land reforms. His advocacy contributed to several important legislative changes affecting indigenous lands in Ecuador.

These historical figures illustrate the depth and continuity of the surname Zhicay within Ecuador, reflecting its cultural and social significance across several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zhicay

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

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

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

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