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

Gushikuma, 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 Gushikuma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gushikuma in America

Gushikuma is the 156044th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gushikuma surname appeared 104 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gushikuma.

The history of the last name Gushikuma

The surname GUSHIKUMA originates from the Okinawan region of Japan, tracing its roots back to the 17th century. It is believed to be derived from the Okinawan words "gushi" meaning "tree bark" and "kuma" meaning "bear," potentially referring to an ancestral occupation or a descriptive nickname.

This surname first appeared in historical records from the Ryukyu Kingdom, an independent kingdom that ruled over the Okinawan islands until its annexation by Japan in the late 19th century. The earliest known mention of the name GUSHIKUMA can be found in the annals of the Ryukyu court scribes, documenting various families and their lineages.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the GUSHIKUMA name was Gushikuma Sokan, a skilled woodworker who lived in the village of Naha in the early 18th century. His exceptional craftsmanship in creating intricate wood carvings and furniture earned him a respected reputation throughout the kingdom.

Another notable figure was Gushikuma Tokiko (1825-1892), a renowned herbalist and midwife from the island of Miyako. Her expertise in traditional Okinawan medicine and her compassionate care for women during childbirth made her a revered figure in her community.

In the late 19th century, Gushikuma Choun (1860-1938) played a significant role in the preservation of Okinawan cultural heritage. As a scholar and historian, he meticulously documented the customs, traditions, and oral histories of the Ryukyu Kingdom, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

During the early 20th century, Gushikuma Kenshin (1903-1971) gained recognition as a skilled martial artist and teacher of Okinawan karate. He established his own dojo and trained numerous students, contributing to the spread and preservation of this ancient fighting art.

The GUSHIKUMA surname can also be traced back to the village of Gushikuma, located in the northern region of Okinawa Island. It is possible that some individuals bearing this name may have originated from or resided in this particular village, adopting its name as their family surname.

While the GUSHIKUMA surname may not be as widely known as some other Japanese surnames, it holds a rich history deeply rooted in the cultural traditions and heritage of the Okinawan islands. Its origins and meaning reflect the diverse occupations, skills, and contributions of those who carried this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gushikuma

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gushikuma 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 Gushikuma was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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