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

Yanagisawa, 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 Yanagisawa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yanagisawa in America

Yanagisawa is the 92719th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yanagisawa surname appeared 198 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 Yanagisawa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yanagisawa 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 Yanagisawa

The surname Yanagisawa originates from Japan and can be traced back to the country's feudal era, around the Heian period (794-1185 AD). The name is primarily linked to the Kanto region, where many samurai families resided. Yanagisawa is composed of two kanji characters: 柳 (yanagi), meaning "willow tree," and 沢 (sawa), which translates to "swamp" or "marshland." This suggests that the original bearers of the name might have lived near willow trees close to a swamp or marshy area.

One of the earliest known records mentioning the Yanagisawa surname dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu (1658-1714) was a prominent samurai and daimyo who served under the Tokugawa shogunate. Yoshiyasu began his service as a page to Shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna and eventually rose to the rank of Roju, one of the senior officials. His influence and leadership were notable during the Genroku era, and his legacy includes the establishment of agricultural reforms and cultural developments.

Historical manuscripts from the Edo period also reference the Yanagisawa clan's contributions to the administration and military. The clan held several important posts and was often tasked with managing key provinces. Yanagisawa Yasuyuki (1673-1727), another significant figure from this clan, played a crucial role in consolidating the Tokugawa shogunate’s rule. He was known for his administrative acumen and efforts to modernize the feudal governance system.

Yanagisawa Kien (1704-1758) was another prominent individual bearing this surname. He was a renowned painter and calligrapher, famous for his contributions to the Nanga style of Japanese painting. Kien's works often depicted serene landscapes and scenes of nature, reflecting the aesthetic values of his time. His art continues to be celebrated in Japanese cultural history.

The Yanagisawa name also appears in the Meiji period (1868-1912) records, with Yanagisawa Ryosen (1853-1937) being a notable figure. Ryosen was an influential scholar and educator who advocated for modernization and Westernization during Japan's Meiji Restoration. His efforts in shaping the educational reforms during this period significantly impacted Japan's transition into a modern state.

Yanagisawa Gohoro (1864-1932) was a distinguished archaeologist and historian during the Taisho and early Showa periods. His research and publications on ancient Japanese artifacts and historical sites contributed vastly to the field of archaeology in Japan. Gohoro's work helped preserve many aspects of Japan's ancient heritage and provided valuable insights into its historical development.

These figures illustrate the rich heritage and historical significance of the Yanagisawa surname in Japan. From samurai and administrators to artists and scholars, the name has been associated with notable contributions to Japanese society and culture throughout various periods of the country's history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yanagisawa

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

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

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

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