Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Za

The surname Zabriskie has its roots in the Netherlands, specifically deriving from the Dutch surname "Zabriskie," which is believed to be a toponymic name linked to the village of Zabriskie in the province of Friesland. The name first appeared in the early 17th century, with early records indicating its presence among Dutch settlers who migrated to America, particularly in New York and New Jersey.

The surname Zanuck has its historical roots in the Jewish community, particularly among Ashkenazi Jews. It is believed to have originated from the Yiddish word "zanek," which means "to be sweet" or "sweetness," possibly reflecting a characteristic or trait of the family.

The surname Zastrow has its historical roots in Germany, particularly in the regions of Prussia and Silesia. It is believed to derive from the Middle High German word "zast," which means "to stand" or "to stay," possibly indicating a geographical feature or a role associated with stability or residence.

The surname Zaleski has its roots in Poland, deriving from the Slavic word "zalesie," which translates to "a place in the woods" or "a clearing in the forest." This suggests that the name was likely first used to describe individuals who lived near or worked in forested areas, possibly as woodcutters or farmers clearing land for agriculture. The surname can be traced back to the medieval period, with its earliest occurrences found in historical records from the 14th century.

The surname Zachrisson has its roots in Scandinavian culture, particularly in Sweden, where it is derived from the given name Zacharias, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Zechariah, meaning "the Lord has remembered." The suffix "-sson" indicates "son of," a common patronymic practice in Swedish naming conventions. This surname likely first appeared in the late medieval period, around the 15th century, as surnames became more standardized in Scandinavia.

The surname Zang has its historical roots primarily in East Asia, particularly within Chinese culture, where it is often associated with the character "张" (Zhāng), which means "to stretch" or "to open." This surname is one of the most common in China, with origins tracing back over 2,500 years to the State of Zhao during the Warring States period. The Zang surname is believed to have developed from the name of a prominent family or clan, with members often holding significant social roles, such as scholars, officials, and military leaders.

The surname Zaharias has its roots in the Greek and Hebrew languages, deriving from the name Zacharias, which means "the Lord has remembered." Historically, the surname can be traced back to the Byzantine Empire, where it was often associated with individuals in religious or administrative roles. Over time, the name evolved and spread throughout various regions, particularly in Greece and among Greek communities worldwide.

The surname Zartman has its historical roots in the Germanic regions, particularly among the Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe. The name is believed to derive from the Yiddish word "zart," meaning "tender" or "delicate," which may have been used to describe a person's character or occupation, possibly indicating a profession related to craftsmanship or artistry.

The surname Zapf has its historical roots in Germany, where it is believed to have originated from the Middle High German word "zapf," meaning "tap" or "spigot." This suggests that the name may have been occupational, referring to someone who worked with barrels or in brewing, a significant trade in medieval German society. The earliest records of the surname date back to the 13th century, particularly in regions such as Bavaria and Swabia.

The surname Zaragoza has its historical roots in Spain, particularly associated with the city of Zaragoza in the Aragon region. The name is derived from the Latin "Caesaraugusta," which was the name of the city during Roman times, and it reflects a rich cultural heritage that dates back to the Roman Empire.

The surname Zarley has its roots in the English language, with historical origins tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational surname derived from places named with similar phonetics, possibly linked to the Old English elements "ceorl," meaning a free man or peasant, and "leah," meaning a clearing or meadow.

The surname Zaremba has its roots in Eastern Europe, particularly within Polish and Ukrainian contexts. Historically, it is believed to derive from the Slavic word "zaremba," which translates to "to be in a hurry" or "to rush," possibly indicating a characteristic of the original bearers or their occupations.

The surname Zanetti has its roots in Italy, particularly in the northern regions such as Lombardy and Veneto. It is derived from the diminutive form of the name "Zane," which is a variant of "Giovanni," meaning "John." The surname likely emerged during the Middle Ages, a period when surnames began to be adopted for identification purposes, often reflecting personal names, occupations, or geographical features.

The surname Zacher has its historical roots primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in regions that are now part of modern-day Poland and Hungary. The name is derived from the Hebrew name "Zachariah," meaning "the Lord has remembered." It first appeared in written records during the medieval period, often associated with Jewish communities.

The surname Zale has its historical roots in Eastern Europe, particularly among Slavic populations. It is believed to derive from the word "zal," which means "to fall" or "to sink," possibly indicating a geographical feature such as a low-lying area or a valley.

The surname Zangwill has its historical roots in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, particularly among Ashkenazi Jews. The name is believed to derive from the Yiddish word "zang," meaning "song," combined with "will," which may refer to a personal or familial attribute.

The surname Zakrzewski has its roots in Poland, deriving from the word "zakrzew," which translates to "willow" in English. Historically, the name likely originated as a toponymic surname, indicating that the first bearers lived near a willow tree or a place characterized by willows.

The surname Zapp has its historical roots primarily in Germany and is believed to derive from the Middle High German word "zapfen," which means "to tap" or "to pierce." This suggests that the name may have originally been associated with occupations related to woodworking or brewing, where tapping into barrels was a common practice. The surname likely emerged in the medieval period, with its earliest records appearing in the 13th century.

The surname Zayas has its historical roots in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in Spain, where it is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages. The name is thought to derive from the Basque word "zaya," meaning "valley" or "gorge," which suggests a geographical connection to the landscape of the region.

The surname Zappa has its historical roots in Italy, particularly in the regions of Lombardy and Liguria. The name is believed to derive from the Italian word "zappa," which means "hoe" or "spade," suggesting that the original bearers of the surname may have been agricultural workers or landowners involved in farming.