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

Yagi, 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 Yagi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yagi in America

Yagi is the 33941st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yagi surname appeared 670 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 Yagi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yagi 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 Yagi

The surname Yagi originates from Japan, a country with a deep and rich history of naming conventions that often reflect geographical features, occupations, or other sociocultural elements. The name Yagi can be broken down into two kanji characters: "ya" and "gi." "Ya" (谷) means "valley," and "gi" (木) means "tree." Therefore, Yagi can be translated to mean "tree in the valley" or "valley of trees," indicating a familial connection to a place with that type of geography.

Yagi is traditionally found in various regions of Japan, particularly in areas where valleys and forests are prominent. This suggests that early bearers of the name likely lived in or near such landscapes, possibly engaging in occupations related to forestry or agriculture. The name dates back several centuries, with documentation in feudal Japan when surnames became more systematically recorded under the edicts of various shogunates.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Yagi can be found in Edo period documents, where it appears in records of samurai families and local registries. These records were essential for taxation and governance during this era. The Yagi family is believed to have been minor nobility or part of the samurai class, especially noted for their loyalty and service in regional domains.

The Yagi name appears in various historical manuscripts and records throughout the centuries. One important figure was Yagi Jizaemon, a noted swordsman during the late Sengoku period, who was born in 1556 and died in 1597. He was renowned for his skill with the katana and was a respected martial artist of his era. His legacy has been preserved in various martial arts texts and historical records.

Another significant person bearing the Yagi surname was Yagi Daigaku, an influential scholar and educator in the early 19th century. Born in 1794 and passed away in 1857, Daigaku contributed to the development of education systems in his region, promoting literacy and learning at a time when Japan was opening up to Western influences.

In the field of science, Yagi Hidetsugu, born in 1886 and died in 1976, stands out as an illustrious name. An electrical engineer, he is best known for co-inventing the Yagi-Uda antenna, a significant advancement in radio and television technology. His work remains fundamental to modern electromagnetic theory and applications.

Moving forward into the 20th century, Yagi brothers Motoo and Toyohiro were prominent figures in business and cultural endeavors. Motoo Yagi, born in 1924 and passed away in 1981, was a renowned architect who contributed to post-war reconstruction in Japan. His brother, Toyohiro Yagi, born in 1927 and died in 1999, was a well-regarded sculptor whose work can still be seen in public spaces throughout Japan.

The surname Yagi remains steeped in historical significance and continues to be linked with contributions in various fields. These legacies highlight the name's evolution from its geographical and feudal roots to its modern-day associations with innovation and artistry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yagi

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

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

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

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