宰姓
The surname Zai, pronounced "zǎi", originates from the official titles "Zaifu" or "Taizai" in the Zhou Dynasty. Descendants of officials, including from the Duke of Zhou's line, adopted these as their surname. It is not a common surname in China.
The Zai Family Name
Family Name: Zai, pronounced as “zǎi”
Geographic Distribution of the Zai Family Name**
Xihe Commandery: The Xihe Commandery was established during the Warring States period by the state of Wei. Its location corresponds to the area along the Yellow River between present-day Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces.
Origins of the Zai Family Name**
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The name “Zai” originates from an official title. It is a descendant of the Zaifu, an official position in the Zhou Dynasty whose responsibility was to manage both domestic and external affairs of the dynasty. Descendants of the Zaifu often adopted their ancestor’s official title as their surname, which was either “Zaifu” or “Zai.” This became a major branch of the Zai family.
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Another origin of the Zai family name is from the Ji surname, where an official title was also used as the surname. During the Spring and Autumn period, a descendant of the Duke of Zhou, named Zhougong Kong, served as the Grand Minister (Taizai) in the Zhou Dynasty and was thus known as “Zai Zhougong.” His descendants adopted his official title as their surname, forming another branch of the Zai family.
Migration and Distribution
The Zai family name has not made it into the top 100 most common surnames in China, either on the mainland or in Taiwan. It originates from the Ji surname. In ancient Zhou times, there was an important official position called the Grand Minister (Taizai), responsible for promoting officials and conveying the emperor’s orders. Descendants of the founding hero of the Zhou Dynasty, the Duke of Zhou, included Zhougong Kong, who held this position. Some of Zhougong Kong’s descendants adopted his official title as their surname, passing it down through generations. In the Zhou Dynasty, the Grand Minister was also referred to as “Zaifu,” so some of his descendants reverted to using the surname “Zaifu,” which later simplified to the single-character surname “Zai.”
Hall Names (Tanghao):
Linzhi Hall: Many outstanding individuals emerged from Confucius’ disciples, including one named Zai Yu, who served as the governor of Linzi. Zai Yu was one of the Ten Sages in the four categories of Confucius’ teachings (speech being one of them) and was later granted the title of Duke of Linzi during the Song Dynasty.