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

Watari, 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 Watari surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Watari in America

Watari is the 134712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Watari surname appeared 125 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 Watari.

We can also compare 2010 data for Watari 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 Watari

The surname WATARI is believed to have originated in Japan, with its roots dating back several centuries. It is thought to be derived from the Japanese word "wataru," which means "to cross" or "to pass through." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who lived near a river crossing or a mountain pass.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname WATARI can be found in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). During this time, there are references to a samurai family bearing the name WATARI in the region of present-day Shizuoka Prefecture. However, the exact origins of this family and the meaning behind their surname remain unclear.

In the Edo period (1603-1868), several notable individuals with the surname WATARI emerged. One such figure was Watari Nobuyoshi (1615-1690), a prominent daimyo (feudal lord) who ruled over the Akita Domain in northern Japan. Another noteworthy individual was Watari Shichirōzaemon (1683-1755), a skilled swordsmith renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship.

The name WATARI has also been linked to various place names and geographical locations throughout Japan. For instance, there is a small town called Watari-chō in Miyagi Prefecture, which may have derived its name from individuals bearing the surname WATARI who settled in the area.

Among the historical figures with the surname WATARI, one cannot overlook Watari Shōzō (1856-1933), a pioneering Japanese businessman who founded the Watari Komuten Company, one of the earliest trading firms in Japan. Another notable individual was Watari Hiroshi (1904-1976), a renowned mathematician and educator who made significant contributions to the field of algebraic geometry.

It is also worth mentioning Watari Michitada (1924-2019), a celebrated Japanese painter and printmaker who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Japanese art. His works are celebrated for their bold use of color and unique interpretations of traditional Japanese themes.

Throughout history, the surname WATARI has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from samurai warriors to artists and academics. While the exact origins of this name remain shrouded in mystery, its enduring presence in Japanese culture and society is a testament to its rich heritage and significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Watari

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

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

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

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