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

Yano, 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 Yano surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yano in America

Yano is the 24787th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yano surname appeared 1,005 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 Yano.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yano 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 Yano

The surname Yano has its origins deeply rooted in Japan, where it traces back to the country’s feudal era. Records indicate that the name has been in use since at least the Kamakura period, which spanned from 1185 to 1333. It is primarily derived from the combination of two kanji characters: "矢" (ya), meaning "arrow," and "野" (no), meaning "field" or "plain." This combination suggests an occupational or locational origin, referring either to an area associated with archery or a plain where arrows were used or manufactured.

The Yano surname is commonly associated with regions such as the Chūgoku and Shikoku areas of Japan. Historical records point to a feudal clan named Yano in what is now Hiroshima Prefecture. The people of this clan were believed to have been local samurai or administrators who adopted the surname to denote their connection to the land and their martial occupation.

In terms of historical references, Yano appears in a number of Edo period documents, notably those from the Tokugawa shogunate, which cataloged various daimyo families and their retainers. One such reference mentions Yano Jiroemon, a samurai who served under the Aki Province’s lord during the 17th century. His name appears in military records dating back to 1625.

Famous bearers of the Yano surname include Yano Tetsuya, a renowned scholar during the Meiji era who was born in 1847 and died in 1918. He made significant contributions to the field of Japanese literature and philosophy. Additionally, Yano Azusa, born in 1870, was a notable artist recognized for his work in the Nihonga style of painting, which aimed to preserve traditional Japanese artistic methods.

Yano Shigetaka, another prominent figure, was a political activist and writer in the early 20th century, known for his works on social reforms in Japan. He was born in 1860 and became a central figure in the Freedom and People's Rights Movement. His writings influenced Japanese politics and contributed to the democratization efforts during the Taisho period.

In the post-war era, Yano Tsuneyoshi, a respected economist, was known for his innovative theories on economic policies in post-World War II Japan. Born in 1909, he was instrumental in shaping Japan’s economic recovery and growth during the late 20th century.

Lastly, Yano Michiko was a celebrated educator and author who contributed significantly to the education reforms in Japan. Born in 1916, she devoted her career to improving the Japanese educational system and promoting women's education.

Throughout history, the Yano surname has been associated with various professions, from warriors and scholars to artists and politicians, each making notable contributions to their fields. The evolution of the surname reflects not only a connection to geographical regions within Japan but also a legacy of service, creativity, and intellectual pursuit.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yano

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

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

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

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