Zircon Hf isotope composition is widely used to trace the growth and evolution of continental crust. However, it is controversial whether the Hf isotope composition of magmatic zircons can faithfully reflect that of their sources, especially for S-type granites. In order to provide an insight into this issue, we have revisited the published Lu–Hf isotope data of zircons from well-studied migmatites and associated granites in the Sulu orogen and the Cathaysian terrane, respectively. The results show greatly elevated 176Hf/177Hf ratios (by more than 10e units) for newly grown zircon domains compared to the relict zircon domains. This indicates considerable contributions from non-zircon Hf to anatectic melts during crustal anatexis and subsequent magmatism. Furthermore, this more radiogenic Hf isotope signature was not erased during magmatic processes such as crystal fractionation during melt ascent and emplacement. The budget of Hf isotopes in source rocks with respect to mineral Lu/Hf ratios suggests the involvement of Hf-bearing major minerals in anatectic reactions by dissolving Hf-bearing major minerals into the anatectic melts. The significant Hf isotope variations in some anatectic and magmatic zircon domains from the migmatites and granites suggest not only the source heterogeneity but also the variable non-zircon Hf contributions. As such, the Hf isotope compositions of anatectic and magmatic zircons are substantially dictated by the mass balance between the non-zircon Hf from anatectic reactions and the zircon-Hf from the dissolution of protolith zircons into the anatectic melts. They are primarily controlled by P-T conditions and mechanism of crustal anatexis, and the magmatic processes during melt evolution. The present study highlights the important contribution of non-zircon Hf to the anatectic and magmatic zircon domains. In this regard, the greatly elevated 176Hf/177Hf ratios for newly grown zircon domains in the migmatites and granites cannot reflect the Hf isotope compositions of their source rocks. Such a deviation must be kept in mind when linking relatively depleted Hf isotope compositions to the nature of source rocks in petrogenetic interpretation and to the growth of continental crust. The contribution of non-zircon Hf can also better account for the variable Hf isotope compositions often shown by zircons from S-type granites.