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

Tàoka, 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 Tàoka surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Tàoka in America

Tàoka is the 149328th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tàoka surname appeared 101 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Tàoka.

The history of the last name Tàoka

The surname Taoka finds its origins in Japan, with its earliest documented use tracing back to the feudal periods of Japanese history, specifically during the Edo period (1603-1868). The name is thought to have originated in regions such as Kyoto, Osaka, and other parts of Kansai, a cultural and historical region in Japan. The etymology of Taoka is rooted in the Japanese language, where "ta" (田) stands for "rice field" and "oka" (岡) means "hill" or "ridge." Therefore, the name Taoka can be interpreted as "hill of the rice field."

Historical records indicate that the name Taoka first appeared in samurai registries and land ownership documents, where families with the Taoka name were often associated with agricultural and land management roles. During the Edo period, many families bearing this surname were engaged in rice farming, a staple activity of the Japanese economy and culture at the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Taoka appears in the Genroku era (1688-1704) in a registry of landowners in the Kyoto area. The Taoka family owned and managed extensive rice fields, which substantiates the meaning behind the name. This is supported by various shuinchō, or temple caller lists, which detailed the residents and landholders in the nearby regions of prominent temples.

A notable figure bearing the surname Taoka was Taoka Hiroshi (兵士 太岡), born in 1740 and a respected landowner in the Kyoto prefecture. He played a significant role in local governance, often mediating disputes regarding land and water usage among farmers, until his death in 1810. Later, in the Meiji period, Taoka Mitsuo (三夫 太岡), born in 1868, became a well-known merchant in Osaka, dealing primarily in rice and other agricultural products. Mitsuo's contributions to the local economy were recognized by a merchant association, which documented his substantial influence in the region.

Another significant figure was Taoka Kazuo (和夫 太岡), born in 1911, who extended the family’s influence into the industrial sectors of Japan during the early 20th century. Kazuo's innovations in farming equipment drastically improved the efficiency of rice production, earning him accolades before his passing in 1977. Additionally, in the arts, Taoka Yuki (雪 太岡), born in 1945, emerged as a renowned calligrapher, contributing significantly to preserving traditional Japanese art forms and hosting exhibitions worldwide throughout the late 20th century until her death in 2018.

In summary, the surname Taoka is rooted in Japan's feudal history, emerging prominently during the Edo period. The name has been borne by individuals who significantly impacted agriculture, commerce, and arts within Japanese society. From its etymological roots in rice farming to its presence in historical records, the Taoka surname is emblematic of a rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tàoka

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Tàoka 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.

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

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

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