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

Yamamura, 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 Yamamura surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamamura in America

Yamamura is the 50771st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamamura surname appeared 411 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 Yamamura.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yamamura 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 Yamamura

The surname Yamamura has its origins in Japan, a country known for its structured and meaningful family names. The name is composed of two kanji characters: 山 (yama), meaning "mountain," and 村 (mura), meaning "village." This combination suggests that the original bearers of the name likely lived in or near a mountainous village or were associated with such a landscape. The name is geographically linked to rural regions of Japan, where many communities were nestled against the backdrop of mountains.

The name Yamamura can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185), a time when Japan's system of family names was becoming more formalized. Historical records from this era, such as the Engishiki (a Japanese book of laws from the 10th century), contain lists of names that resemble Yamamura, showcasing its long-standing presence in Japanese culture. While the exact first occurrence of the surname Yamamura in official records is not clear, it likely appeared around these early periods.

One of the earliest identifiable figures with this surname is Yamamura Ujiie, a samurai retainer of the 16th century during the Sengoku period, who is noted for his service under various daimyos. He is documented in various war chronicles and local histories, reflecting the martial heritage of some branches of the Yamamura family. Ujiie's efforts and loyalty were particularly recorded in the tumultuous times of regional conflicts and the pursuit of stability in feudal Japan.

In the Edo period (1603-1868), records show the presence of Yamamura Bunemon, who was involved in local governance and agricultural reforms. Bunemon's contributions to agrarian policies and community leadership were significant in enhancing the livelihoods of people living in mountainous rural areas. His efforts are noted in village records and local chronicles as pivotal to the development of these regions.

Yamamura Sakae, a notable figure from the Meiji era (1868-1912), made his mark as an early adopter of Western technologies. Sakae pioneered the introduction of new farming techniques and tools in his village, leading to increased agricultural productivity. His works are documented in various agricultural records of the period and reflect the adaptive spirit of the Yamamura lineage amid Japan's modernization.

Yamamura Koji, born in 1964, is a contemporary animator and filmmaker. Although modern, his work has gained significant recognition and is a testament to the creative and artistic heritage that can be traced back through the name's history. Koji's films, such as "Mt. Head" (2002), have received international awards and acclaim, contributing to the global visibility of the Yamamura name.

Throughout Japanese history, the Yamamura surname has been associated with various professions and societal contributions, reflecting the adaptability and resilience of those who bear it. Whether in samurai traditions, agricultural reforms, or cultural productions, the Yamamura name continues to hold historical depth and significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamamura

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

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

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

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