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

Matsui, 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 Matsui surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Matsui in America

Matsui is the 23852nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Matsui surname appeared 1,059 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 Matsui.

We can also compare 2010 data for Matsui 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 Matsui

The surname Matsui is of Japanese origin, tracing its roots back to the 8th century CE. It is derived from two Japanese words: "matsu," meaning pine tree, and "i," which signifies a well or a spring. The name likely originated in areas where pine trees grew near natural water sources, such as in the mountainous regions of central Japan.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Matsui can be found in the Shoku Nihongi, an imperial chronicle compiled in the 9th century. The text mentions a prominent samurai family bearing this surname who served under the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1185 CE).

During the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE), the Matsui clan gained prominence as skilled warriors and strategists. Several manuscripts from this era, including the Azuma Kagami and the Taiheiki, document the exploits of Matsui Sanemori (1211-1285), a renowned military commander who played a pivotal role in the Mongol invasions of Japan.

In the Muromachi period (1336-1573 CE), the Matsui family established themselves as influential landowners and administrators in the Kyoto region. One notable figure from this time was Matsui Yorinobu (1456-1516), a skilled diplomat and scholar who served as a court advisor to several shogunates.

The Edo period (1603-1868 CE) saw the rise of Matsui Kikusaburo (1628-1705), a celebrated playwright and poet whose works were highly influential in the development of Kabuki theater. His plays, such as "Kanadehon Chushingura," remain celebrated classics in Japanese literature.

Another prominent figure bearing the Matsui name was Matsui Nobuyuki (1835-1888), a leading figure in the Meiji Restoration and one of the architects of Japan's modernization. He played a crucial role in establishing the Imperial Japanese Army and served as the first Minister of War in the Meiji government.

Throughout its long history, the Matsui surname has been associated with various professions, from samurai warriors and landowners to artists, scholars, and government officials. While its origins can be traced back to the ancient times, the name continues to be widely used in contemporary Japan, carrying with it a rich cultural legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Matsui

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

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

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

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