This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Zai family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Zai Family History

Zai Surname Meaning

Chinese:: Mandarin form of the surname 宰 meaning ‘control’ or ‘in charge of’ in ancient Chinese: from the second element of Tai Zai (太宰) the name of an official post in the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BC) in charge of royal affairs.

Mandarin form of the surname 載 meaning ‘year’ or ‘record’ in ancient Chinese: (i) from Zai (載) the name of an ancient state (located in present-day Henan province) annexed by the state of Song during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC).

(ii) from the second element of the personal name Ji Zai (季載) style name of the 10th son of King Wen of Zhou (1152–1056 BC).

Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 謝 see Xie

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Zai family from?

You can see how Zai families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Zai family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. The most Zai families were found in and USA in 1880. In 1880 there were 5 Zai families living in Kentucky. This was 100% of all the recorded Zai's in USA. Kentucky had the highest population of Zai families in 1880.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Zai surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What Zai family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 195 census records available for the last name Zai. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Zai census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Zai

Passenger Lists

There are 678 immigration records available for the last name Zai. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Zai immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 20 military records available for the last name Zai. For the veterans among your Zai ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Zai military records

You've only scratched the surface of Zai family history

Discover More

What is the average Zai lifespan?

Between 1967 and 2004, in the United States, Zai life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1968, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Zai in 1967 was 74, and 95 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Zai

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Zai ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Zai family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial