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

Yamato, 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 Yamato surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamato in America

Yamato is the 94311th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamato surname appeared 194 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 Yamato.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yamato 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 Yamato

The surname Yamato originates from Japan and traces its roots back to ancient times. The name is intrinsically linked to the Yamato period in Japanese history, which spanned from approximately 250 to 710 AD. Yamato, meaning "Great Harmony" or "Great Wa," referred to the area that is present-day Nara Prefecture. This period is significant as it marked the emergence of the imperial court and the consolidation of the Japanese state.

Etymologically, the name derives from “Yama,” meaning “mountain,” and “to,” which is an archaic term that can signify "people" or "nation." In its historical context, Yamato was used to describe both a specific geographic region and the people who inhabited it. Over the centuries, the name evolved to represent both the cultural and political unity of Japan.

One of the earliest written records that mention Yamato is the Kojiki, compiled in 712 AD. The Kojiki, which translates to "Records of Ancient Matters," is Japan's oldest chronicle. The Yamato name is referenced numerous times in this text, establishing it as a name of considerable historical importance.

Historical figures bearing the surname Yamato include Yamato Takeru, a legendary prince of the Yamato dynasty who is celebrated in Japanese folklore for his bravery and adventures. Although the exact dates of his birth and death are uncertain, Takeru is believed to have lived during the late first century to early second century AD.

Another notable individual is Yamato Tadashi, a samurai of the Muromachi period (1336-1573). Samurai records indicate that the Yamato family played a significant role in local governance and military affairs during this time. Tadashi's valor and strategic acumen were documented in various war chronicles of the era.

In the Edo period (1603-1868), Yamato Torajirō was a renowned poet who contributed significantly to the waka (traditional Japanese poetry) genre. His works were part of several anthologies compiled in the early 17th century.

During the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), Yamato Daigoro emerged as a prominent political figure advocating for the modernization of Japan. Born in 1844, Daigoro was instrumental in various reformative movements until his death in 1910.

The Yamato family name is also linked to Yamato Yudai, an accomplished sumo wrestler of the Taishō period (1912-1926). Known for his strength and discipline, Yudai was a beloved figure in Japanese sports, achieving fame until his retirement in 1925.

Throughout centuries, the surname Yamato has been borne by individuals contributing significantly to Japanese culture, governance, and society. This enduring legacy makes the surname a symbol of historical and cultural pride in Japan.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamato

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

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

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

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