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

Yamakawa, 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 Yamakawa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamakawa in America

Yamakawa is the 60960th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamakawa surname appeared 330 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 Yamakawa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yamakawa 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 Yamakawa

The surname Yamakawa originates from Japan. The name is composed of two kanji characters: "山" (yama), meaning "mountain," and "川" (kawa), meaning "river." These elemental components are deeply rooted in the Japanese landscape and culture, often referencing specific geographical features near where families with this name resided.

Historically, the surname Yamakawa is believed to have been adopted during the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan. During this time, surnames often arose out of necessity for distinguishing between closely related or geographically condensed populations. The use of geographical features as part of a name indicates a close relationship between the family and their physical surroundings.

The earliest written references to the name Yamakawa can be traced back to old Japanese records and registries, such as temple documents and local government manuscripts. These records often detailed land holdings, familial lineage, and tax obligations, giving a glimpse into the daily lives and status of the family members.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Yamakawa was Yamakawa Kenjirō, born in 1854 and died in 1931. He was a prominent physicist in Japan, contributing significantly to the field of physics and higher education.

Another significant historical figure is Yamakawa Shūhō, born in 1898 and died in 1944. He was a renowned painter, and his works had a considerable influence on both Japanese and Western art circles during his time.

In the military sphere, Yamakawa Hiroshi, who lived from 1845 to 1894, played a crucial role as a Japanese general during the early Meiji period. His contributions to the modernization of the Japanese military were well-documented and helped shape Japan's defense strategies in the late 19th century.

Yamakawa Kikue, born in 1890 and died in 1980, emerged as an influential feminist and social reformer. She was pivotal in advocating for women's rights and labor laws in a rapidly modernizing Japan.

In more recent history, Yamakawa Yoshio, born in 1918 and died in 2014, was known for being one of the Japanese soldiers who held out in the Philippines after World War II, unaware that the war had ended. His story captivated global audiences and provided a unique perspective on loyalty and the impact of war.

The Yamakawa surname, while not the most common, has been borne by individuals across various fields, each contributing uniquely to their respective domains. This name carries with it a sense of place and a rich historical legacy, intricately tied to the cultural and geographical tapestry of Japan.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamakawa

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

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

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

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