Merzhele Clan

Overview

The Merzhele clan is a Manchu surname recorded in Volume 52 of the officially compiled *Comprehensive Genealogy of Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, and they originally resided in the Songhua River region. Qiangtuli of the Bordered Yellow Banner submitted to the Manchus during the Tiancong era. His son, Zhanuka, and his branch have records of continuous tribute payments and leading household migrations; the genealogy states that Zhanuka led 44 households, along with zuoling Erbochuo and Walu, to Ningguta, where he was granted the title of Qiduwei and concurrently a Yunqiwei, and appointed zuoling.

Another branch, Xierguan, originally resided in Manaha Village on the Songhua River and served as village head. His brother's son, Erzhu, succeeded him as village head, and during the Kangxi era, a new Manchu zuoling was established; later, Xierguan's son, Walu, took over, leading 37 households to Ningguta and being granted the title of Qiduwei. This reflects both local headman status and subsequent official positions, household migrations, and rewards after incorporation into the Eight Banners, indicating organizational changes at different stages. Therefore, the submission dates of all members cannot be collectively referred to as the Tiancong era.

"zuoling" refers to both the basic organizational structure and the official in charge of that structure; "hu shu" indicates the size of the migrating group, while "shi zhi" indicates the rank of reward granted. The connections between individuals with the same name in the genealogy and the preceding and following sections, as well as the exact years of each migration and the location of Manaha Village, still need to be verified. Individuals cannot be directly merged based on having the same name.