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

Nishiki, 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 Nishiki surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nishiki in America

Nishiki is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nishiki surname appeared 107 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 Nishiki.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nishiki 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 Nishiki

The surname Nishiki originates from Japan and can be traced back to the 8th century AD. It is derived from the Japanese word "nishiki," which means "brocade" or "embroidered fabric." The name is believed to have been given to families who were involved in the production or trade of these luxurious textiles.

One of the earliest recorded references to the Nishiki name can be found in the Shoku Nihongi, an imperial chronicle compiled in the late 8th century. It mentions a family of weavers who produced intricate brocades for the imperial court.

During the Heian period (794-1185 AD), the Nishiki family gained prominence as skilled artisans and were often commissioned to create elaborate textiles for nobility and Buddhist temples. Their works were highly valued for their intricate designs and skilled craftsmanship.

In the 13th century, a branch of the Nishiki family relocated to the city of Nara, where they established a successful weaving workshop. Their creations were sought after by wealthy merchants and samurai families.

One notable figure in the history of the Nishiki name is Nishiki Masahiro (1573-1649), a master weaver who developed innovative techniques for creating brocades with metallic threads. His works were highly prized and can be found in museums and collections around the world.

Another prominent Nishiki was Nishiki Yoshiko (1892-1976), a renowned textile artist and educator. She dedicated her life to preserving and promoting traditional Japanese weaving techniques, and her works were exhibited internationally.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Nishiki family expanded their business ventures and became involved in textile trading. They established connections with merchants in Kyoto and Osaka, facilitating the distribution of their wares across Japan.

The Nishiki name can also be found in various place names in Japan, such as Nishiki-machi, a historic district in Kyoto known for its traditional weaving workshops and textile merchants.

Throughout history, the Nishiki surname has been associated with artistry, craftsmanship, and the preservation of traditional Japanese textile techniques. Despite its modest origins, the name has gained recognition and respect for its contributions to the rich cultural heritage of Japan.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nishiki

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

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

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

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