The earliest published study of Dzao Min is that of Wong (1939).
[2] The Chenzhou Prefecture Gazetteer (1996) reports that there are 1,200 "Bapai Yao" (八排瑶) or "Zao Min" (藻敏) in Huangjiapan Village 黄家畔村, Mangshan Township 莽山乡, Yizhang County, Hunan.
They are reported to have migrated from Taipingdong 太平洞, Chengjia District 称架区, Yangshan County, Guangdong in the 16th century.
Long Guoyi (2011) covers the six Zao Min dialects of Daping 大坪, Junliao 军寮, Mangshan 莽山, Nan'gang 南岗, Panshi 盘石, and Youling 油岭.
Long reports that other than in Liannan County, small pockets of Zao Min speakers are located in: