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

Yamashiro, 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 Yamashiro surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamashiro in America

Yamashiro is the 24608th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamashiro surname appeared 1,015 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 Yamashiro.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yamashiro 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 Yamashiro

The surname Yamashiro originates from Japan, with its roots deeply embedded in the country's history and geography. The name is derived from two kanji characters: "yama" (山), meaning "mountain," and "shiro" (城), meaning "castle," thus translating to "mountain castle." This indicates a connection to regions known for their fortified structures on elevated terrains, suggestive of protection and strategic significance.

Yamashiro is closely associated with the historical Yamashiro Province, which was an old province of Japan located in the place that is today part of Kyoto Prefecture. The province played a crucial role during the Heian period (794-1185), a time rich in cultural and political developments. The presence of many castles and the rugged terrain of the region likely influenced the adoption of the surname by families living there.

The earliest recorded use of Yamashiro as a surname dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Ancient documents such as the "Azuma Kagami," a historical chronicle of the Kamakura Shogunate, refer to individuals with this surname. For instance, records from the early 1200s mention a samurai named Yamashiro no Kami, a title indicating his role as a governor of the Yamashiro Province.

One notable historical figure with the surname Yamashiro was Yamashiro Tomonari, a samurai from the Muromachi period (1336-1573). Born in 1402, Tomonari served under the Hosokawa clan and was known for his military exploits and contributions to maintaining peace in the region. His leadership in the provincial militia and loyalty to his lords were highly respected.

Yamashiro Tadakuni, born in 1561, was another significant figure during the turbulent Sengoku period. As a retainer of the powerful Takeda clan, Tadakuni played an instrumental role in several key battles, including the Battle of Nagashino (1575), where he demonstrated remarkable tactical skills and bravery.

In the Edo period (1603-1868), Yamashiro Tadasuke, born in 1598, emerged as a prominent scholar and poet. His contributions to Japanese literature, particularly in the realm of haiku and classical poetry, left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of the period. His works were frequently published in anthologies that celebrated literary excellence.

Yamashiro Hidemasa, born in 1828, was an influential political figure during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. He actively participated in the sonno joi movement that aimed to restore imperial rule while expelling foreign influences. His efforts ultimately contributed to the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which fundamentally transformed Japan's political and social structure.

During the late 19th century, Yamashiro Kenjiro, born in 1870, achieved fame as an inventor and industrialist. He was a pioneer in Japan's early automobile industry and played a crucial role in developing technologies that laid the foundation for Japan's modern automotive prowess. His contributions to engineering and manufacturing were recognized both domestically and internationally.

These historical figures illustrate the diverse contributions of individuals bearing the Yamashiro surname across various domains, including military, literary, political, and industrial fields. The enduring legacy of the name is a testament to the significant roles played by its bearers in shaping Japan's history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamashiro

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

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

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

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