Find out how popular the last name Fukuzawa is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Fukuzawa.

Fukuzawa, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Fukuzawa surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Fukuzawa in America

Fukuzawa is the 131366th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fukuzawa surname appeared 119 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Fukuzawa.

The history of the last name Fukuzawa

The surname Fukuzawa has its origins in Japan, a country with rich cultural and historical traditions. The name is traditionally written using the kanji characters 福 (fuku), meaning "blessing" or "good fortune," and 沢 (zawa or sawa), meaning "swamp" or "marsh." This combination signifies a place of bountiful blessings, likely referring to fertile lands or auspicious geography in ancient Japan.

Fukuzawa is believed to have originated from specific regions in Japan, particularly from areas where the land was fertile and provided sustenance to its inhabitants. Such places could have been regarded as abundant or blessed, making the name Fukuzawa a poetic descriptor of the landscape. Records and familial histories suggest that the name may have roots dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868), a time of significant social and cultural development in Japan.

One of the earliest prominent individuals with the surname Fukuzawa was Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901). He was a scholar, author, and an influential proponent of Western learning during the Meiji Restoration. Fukuzawa Yukichi's works and ideas substantially contributed to the modernization of Japan, promoting education and innovation. His legacy remains significant in Japanese history, with his image featured on the 10,000 yen banknote.

Another notable figure is Fukuzawa Ichirō (1858-1931), a descendant of Fukuzawa Yukichi. He was known for his contributions to the fields of journalism and literature. Ichirō continued the legacy of intellectual pursuit fostered by his ancestor, furthering the influence of the Fukuzawa name in the cultural realm of Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Fukuzawa Shichirō (1845-1910) was another influential figure from the Fukuzawa family. He made significant contributions to the political transformation of Japan during the Meiji era. As a politician and reformer, Shichirō's efforts helped shape the modern Japanese governmental landscape, highlighting the family's continuing involvement in national development.

Another important individual was Fukuzawa Jūjirō (1884-1963), who was prominent in the academic field. He made strides in developing educational methodologies and was a respected professor in several Japanese universities. His work focused on incorporating Western educational standards while also preserving traditional Japanese values, embodying the Fukuzawa ethos of balancing progress with rich cultural heritage.

Lastly, Fukuzawa Hiroshi (1923-1999) was a renowned artist and printmaker whose works gained international acclaim. He blended traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary styles, showcasing the adaptability and creative depth associated with the Fukuzawa surname.

The name Fukuzawa, with its roots in good fortune and fertile lands, has come to be associated with intellectualism, modernization, and cultural contributions. Its historical references and the prominence of members of the Fukuzawa family underscore the lasting impact of this surname on Japan's societal and cultural evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fukuzawa

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Fukuzawa.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Fukuzawa was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Fukuzawa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Fukuzawa, please contact us.

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