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

Yamaji, 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 Yamaji surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamaji in America

Yamaji is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamaji surname appeared 100 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 Yamaji.

The history of the last name Yamaji

The surname Yamaji originates from Japan, a country with a deep-seated tradition of family names that often reflect geographical features or local flora and fauna. The name Yamaji is thought to have emerged during the feudal period, particularly during the time of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868). Derived from the Japanese characters 山 (yama) meaning "mountain" and 路 (ji) meaning "road" or "path," Yamaji roughly translates to "mountain path" or "mountain road." This suggests that the name was likely given to families who lived near or frequently traveled along mountain paths.

The regions most commonly associated with the surname Yamaji include central and western Japan, particularly in areas where mountainous terrain is prevalent. Historical records and ancient gazettes mention the name in relation to specific villages and landholdings in these areas. The name often appears in regional cadastral documents known as kokudaka, which detailed land value and ownership during the Edo period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Yamaji appears in provincial documents from the late 17th century, listing a Yamaji family in the service of a local daimyo in the province of Mino, now part of modern-day Gifu Prefecture. These records indicate that the Yamaji family had some standing and landholdings, suggesting a degree of social influence.

A notable historical figure bearing the surname is Yamaji Aizan, born in 1864 and died in 1917. He was a renowned historian and intellectual who made significant contributions to Meiji-era Japan's historiography. Another distinguished individual is Yamaji Motoharu, a naval officer active during the early 20th century, particularly during the Russo-Japanese War. His leadership and strategic skills earned him commendations and a respected place in Japanese military history.

An important cultural figure by the name of Yamaji was Yamaji Takuichi, a painter and diarist who documented his experiences during World War II. His works provide a crucial perspective on the war from the viewpoint of an ordinary soldier. Born in 1892 and passing away in 1962, Takuichi’s contributions to art and history are still studied today.

Two additional notable figures include Yamaji Masatsugu, an Edo-period scholar born in 1795, known for his studies in Confucianism and Japanese literature, and Yamaji Shouji, born in 1918, a film director and screenwriter who left an indelible mark on Japanese cinema during the post-war era.

The Yamaji surname, tied as it is to the natural topography of Japan and its historical context, provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives, customs, and histories of those who bore it. As the name translates directly to features of the terrain, it serves as a poignant reminder of how nature and geography have historically influenced Japanese society and familial identities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamaji

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

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

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

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