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

Tamashiro, 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 Tamashiro surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tamashiro in America

Tamashiro is the 23634th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tamashiro surname appeared 1,073 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 Tamashiro.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tamashiro 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 Tamashiro

The surname Tamashiro originates from the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan. It is believed to have derived from the Okinawan word "tamashiru," which means "to keep" or "to preserve." The name can trace its roots back to the 15th century, during the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Tamashiro was initially a title given to individuals tasked with preserving and maintaining cultural traditions, historical records, and important artifacts within the Ryukyu Kingdom. Over time, this title evolved into a hereditary surname, passed down through generations of the same family.

One of the earliest known references to the Tamashiro name can be found in the Omoro Soshi, a collection of ancient Ryukyuan poems and songs compiled in the 17th century. The name is mentioned in several verses, indicating its significance within the Ryukyuan society of that era.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Tamashiro Chōbin (1766-1846) gained recognition as a renowned scholar and philosopher. He made significant contributions to the study of Confucianism and the preservation of Ryukyuan culture during a period of political turmoil.

Another prominent individual with the Tamashiro surname was Tamashiro Kōsaku (1887-1945), a respected educator and advocate for Okinawan cultural preservation. He played a crucial role in establishing the first Okinawan language school and promoting the teaching of traditional Okinawan arts and crafts.

During the early 20th century, Tamashiro Masao (1903-1983) gained recognition as a skilled potter and ceramicist. His works were highly valued for their intricate designs and adherence to traditional Okinawan pottery techniques, which he helped to preserve and pass on to future generations.

In the field of literature, Tamashiro Hideo (1928-2008) was a celebrated novelist and playwright. His works often explored themes of Okinawan identity, cultural traditions, and the complexities of life in post-World War II Okinawa. He was a recipient of several prestigious literary awards in Japan.

While the Tamashiro surname is most commonly associated with Okinawa, it is also found in other parts of Japan, as well as among Japanese diaspora communities around the world. However, its origins can be traced back to the historical and cultural significance it held within the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tamashiro

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

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

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

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