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

Sumi, 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 Sumi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sumi in America

Sumi is the 58042nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sumi surname appeared 350 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 Sumi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sumi 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 Sumi

The surname SUMI is believed to have originated in Japan, tracing its roots back to the 12th century. It was initially found in the Kyoto region, where it may have derived from an old Japanese word related to the term "ink," referring to the production or use of sumi ink, a traditional Japanese ink made from pine soot.

One of the earliest known references to the SUMI name can be found in historical records dating back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). These records mention a family of ink makers and calligraphers who adopted the surname SUMI, reflecting their craft and trade.

During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the SUMI family gained prominence as renowned calligraphers and artists. Several members of the family were commissioned to create intricate works of calligraphy for noble households and Buddhist temples, further solidifying the association between the name and the art of ink painting.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the SUMI surname was Sumi Yoshihiro (1530-1611), a master calligrapher and painter who served as an official artist for the powerful Tokugawa shogunate. His works are still celebrated today for their exceptional beauty and skill.

Another significant individual with the SUMI name was Sumi Kenji (1600-1670), a talented poet and scholar who contributed greatly to the development of classical Japanese literature during the Edo period. His poetic compositions were widely admired and studied by subsequent generations of writers and academics.

In the late 19th century, Sumi Yasunari (1849-1923) emerged as a prominent statesman and diplomat during the Meiji era. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and fostering international relations between Japan and various Western countries, contributing to Japan's modernization and global recognition.

Throughout its history, the SUMI surname has maintained a strong connection to the arts, literature, and cultural traditions of Japan. While the name's origins can be traced back to the world of ink making and calligraphy, its bearers have left their mark across various disciplines, from painting and poetry to diplomacy and statesmanship.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sumi

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

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

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

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