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

Matoba, 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 Matoba surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Matoba in America

Matoba is the 115034th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Matoba surname appeared 152 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 Matoba.

We can also compare 2010 data for Matoba to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Matoba

The surname Matoba has its origins in Japan, tracing back to the late 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Japanese word "matoba," which refers to a specific type of pine tree found in the mountainous regions of the country. The name likely originated from a place where these pine trees were abundant.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Matoba can be found in the historical records of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868. These records document a samurai family bearing the name Matoba who served under the shogunate during this period.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Matoba family gained prominence as skilled artisans and craftsmen, particularly in the field of woodworking. Their expertise in working with pine wood led to their association with the name Matoba, which became their surname.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Matoba Takanori (1712-1784) emerged as a renowned scholar and calligrapher. His works and teachings on the art of calligraphy were highly regarded, and he is considered one of the most influential calligraphers of the Edo period.

Another notable individual with the surname Matoba was Matoba Michihiro (1866-1945), a prominent politician and diplomat who served as the Japanese ambassador to the United States in the early 20th century. He played a crucial role in fostering diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States during a period of significant geopolitical tensions.

In the field of literature, Matoba Ryūsen (1902-1989) was a celebrated poet and novelist known for his unique style and exploration of themes related to nature and spirituality. His works, such as "The Willow Tree" and "The Bamboo Grove," have gained critical acclaim and have been translated into multiple languages.

The surname Matoba can also be found in various historical records from different regions of Japan, including the ancient capital of Kyoto and the island of Shikoku. These records often mention individuals with the surname Matoba serving in various roles, such as artisans, merchants, and local officials.

While the surname Matoba is not among the most common surnames in Japan today, it has a rich history and cultural significance, rooted in the country's traditional craftsmanship, artistic expression, and diplomatic endeavors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Matoba

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

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 Matoba 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Matoba has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Matoba was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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