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

Morishita, 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 Morishita surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Morishita in America

Morishita is the 54864th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Morishita surname appeared 375 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 Morishita.

We can also compare 2010 data for Morishita 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 Morishita

The surname Morishita is of Japanese origin, and it can be traced back to the 8th century AD. It likely originated from the Mori clan, a prominent family in the Satsuma region of Kyushu Island. The name Mori is derived from the Japanese word "mori," which means forest or grove.

In ancient times, the Mori clan held significant power and influence in the Satsuma region. They were known for their expertise in warfare and their loyalty to the samurai code of honor. The name Morishita is believed to have been adopted by a branch of the Mori clan, with the "shita" suffix indicating their location or affiliation with a specific area or village.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Morishita can be found in the historical records of the Kamakura Shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1185 to 1333. During this period, a samurai named Morishita Nobuyuki (1154-1227) served as a retainer to the powerful Minamoto clan. He was known for his bravery and skill in battle.

Another notable figure in the history of the Morishita name is Morishita Hiroku (1687-1763), a renowned scholar and poet during the Edo period. He was celebrated for his expertise in classical Japanese literature and his contributions to the development of the haiku form of poetry.

In the late 19th century, during the Meiji Restoration, Morishita Kanju (1834-1908) played a significant role as a statesman and diplomat. He served as the ambassador to the United States and worked tirelessly to establish diplomatic relations between Japan and other nations.

During the 20th century, Morishita Kunio (1905-1981) gained recognition as a prominent artist and sculptor. His works, which often depicted scenes from Japanese mythology and folklore, are celebrated for their intricate details and deep cultural resonance.

Another notable figure is Morishita Masaaki (1923-2004), a renowned physicist and academic. He made significant contributions to the field of particle physics and served as the president of the University of Tokyo from 1981 to 1987.

Throughout its long history, the surname Morishita has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including warfare, literature, diplomacy, art, and science. While the name's origins can be traced back to the ancient Mori clan, it has since become a prevalent surname across Japan, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Morishita

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

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

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

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