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

Otsubo, 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 Otsubo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Otsubo in America

Otsubo is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Otsubo surname appeared 117 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 Otsubo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Otsubo 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 Otsubo

The surname OTSUBO originated in Japan, with roots dating back to the 8th century. It is derived from the Japanese words "otsu" meaning "harbor" and "bo" meaning "grave," suggesting a connection to a place where sailors or fishermen were laid to rest.

During the Nara and Heian periods (710-1185), the OTSUBO name appeared in local records and manuscripts, indicating its presence among noble families and samurai clans. One of the earliest documented instances is Otsubo no Fumiyoshi, a renowned poet who lived during the late 9th century.

In the 12th century, the OTSUBO name gained prominence with Otsubo Kunitsuna, a powerful samurai warrior who served under the Minamoto clan during the Gempei War. His bravery and loyalty were celebrated in the historical chronicle "Heike Monogatari."

By the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the OTSUBO clan had established themselves as landowners and administrators in the Kanto region, particularly in the area now known as Ibaraki Prefecture. The name is associated with several notable figures from this era, including Otsubo Masayoshi, a skilled diplomat and scholar.

In the Edo period (1603-1868), the OTSUBO family continued to hold influential positions within the Tokugawa shogunate. One notable figure was Otsubo Hikozaemon, a renowned swordsmith who crafted blades for the shogun's retainers in the late 17th century.

Another prominent individual was Otsubo Michitaka, a celebrated Kabuki actor who lived from 1719 to 1786. His performances in the traditional theater art form captivated audiences across Japan and earned him widespread recognition.

Throughout its long history, the OTSUBO surname has been associated with various professions, from samurai warriors and government officials to artists and craftsmen. While its origins can be traced back to a specific geographic location, the name has since spread across Japan, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Otsubo

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

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

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

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