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

Shoto, 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 Shoto surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shoto in America

Shoto is the 110825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shoto surname appeared 159 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 Shoto.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shoto 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 Shoto

The surname SHOTO has its origins in Japan, tracing back to the early 17th century. It is believed to have derived from the Japanese word "sho," meaning "to shoot" or "to fire," and "to," meaning "a door" or "an entrance." The combination of these words suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who guarded or protected a door or entrance, possibly a gatekeeper or a sentry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname SHOTO can be found in the chronicles of the Tokugawa Shogunate, where it is mentioned as the name of a samurai warrior who served under the renowned daimyo (feudal lord) Tokugawa Ieyasu. This samurai, whose name was Shoto Nobuyuki, is said to have distinguished himself in several battles during the Sengoku period (the Age of Warring States) in the late 16th century.

In the early 18th century, a scholar and poet named Shoto Masahiro gained significant recognition for his contributions to Japanese literature. His poetic works, which often explored themes of nature and the transience of life, were highly acclaimed during his lifetime and continue to be studied and appreciated by scholars to this day.

Another notable figure with the surname SHOTO was Shoto Takahiro, a skilled swordsmith who lived in the late 18th century. His expertly crafted katanas were prized by samurai and daimyo alike for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. Some of his swords are still preserved in museums and private collections around the world.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), the SHOTO surname was also associated with a prominent family of merchants who established a successful trading business in the city of Osaka. The family's wealth and influence grew over generations, and they became known for their philanthropic endeavors, contributing to the construction of temples and supporting the arts.

In more recent history, Shoto Yukio (1919-1998) was a renowned author and playwright who gained international acclaim for his works exploring the human condition and the aftermath of World War II. His play, "The Teacup," became a celebrated masterpiece and was adapted into a film in 1963.

While the surname SHOTO may not be as common as some others in modern Japan, its rich history and associations with notable figures in various fields have cemented its place in Japanese cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shoto

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

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

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

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