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

Yajima, 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 Yajima surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yajima in America

Yajima is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yajima surname appeared 132 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 Yajima.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yajima 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 Yajima

The surname Yajima originates from Japan, with its roots tracing back to feudal Japan. It is a toponymic surname, meaning that it derives from a place name. The name likely originates from one of several locations in Japan bearing the name "Yajima," with "ya" meaning "arrow" and "jima" (an alternative reading of "shima") meaning "island." These areas were typically regions where archery was practiced significantly, hence the reference to "arrow."

The use of Yajima as a surname can be traced to the Edo period (1603-1868), marked by significant developments in Japanese society, government, and culture. During this time, surnames became more streamlined and were often influenced by the geographical features and occupations of families.

Historical references to the name can be found in regional documents and temple records from various prefectures, particularly in areas known for their samurai heritage. For instance, a Yajima family was recorded in a Daimyo's census during the early 18th century in Tokugawa shogunate records, reflecting the administrative rigor of that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yajima is associated with Yajima Kyūtarō, a samurai who served the Date clan during the late 17th century. His loyalty and martial prowess earned him several mentions in clan chronicles, marking the Yajima name in historical records.

In the late 19th century, Yajima Kajikurō became a notable figure as a scholar and educator, actively participating in the modernization of Japan. Born in 1833 and passing away in 1907, his contributions to the Meiji Restoration's educational reforms left a lasting impact on Japanese society.

Yajima Kajiko, born in 1833 and died in 1925, was another influential figure with the surname. She was a dedicated social reformer and Christian convert who played a pioneering role in advocating for women's rights and education in Japan during the Meiji period.

The name appears once more in the early 20th century with Yajima Naramaru, a well-known Noh performer born in 1898 who preserved and propagated traditional Japanese theatre, ensuring its continued appreciation and practice.

During World War II, Yajima Masachika, born in 1909 and died in 1945, served as an officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy. His distinguished service was recognized in numerous military dispatches, reinforcing the historical presence of the Yajima surname in various facets of Japanese history.

The Yajima name continues to reflect a rich tapestry of Japanese culture and history, with roots deeply embedded in the country's feudal past and extending into its modern evolutions. Their contributions to various sectors such as education, social reform, and military service have ensured that the name endures through the annals of Japanese historical records.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yajima

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

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

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

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