Yonemura last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Yonemura

A Japanese surname indicating someone from the village or rice field in the valley.

Yonemura, 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 Yonemura surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yonemura in America

Yonemura is the 62903rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yonemura surname appeared 318 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 Yonemura.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yonemura 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 62903 61713 1.91%
Count 318 304 4.50%
Proportion per 100k 0.11 0.11 0.00%

The history of the last name Yonemura

The surname Yonemura originates from Japan, a country known for its rich history and deep cultural roots. The components of the name are derived from the Japanese words "yone" meaning rice and "mura" meaning village or hamlet. Rice has historically played a central role in Japanese culture, symbolizing life and prosperity, while "mura" signifies a small community or settlement. Tracing the origins of Japanese surnames often involves looking at the geographical and social structures of ancient Japan, with many names being associated with particular locales or villages that historically thrived in rice farming.

The earliest records of the surname Yonemura can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868), an era characterized by stringent social structures and population registration. During this period, surnames were often recorded in koseki, or family registries, which were meticulously kept for tax and population control purposes. Several ancient documents from this era mention the name Yonemura, indicating it was likely prevalent among farming communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a 17th-century koseki from the region of Akita, a prefecture located in the Tohoku region of Japan. The document lists a farmer named Yonemura Gennosuke, born in 1623 and living until 1698, who was known for his dedication to rice cultivation. This not only highlights the geographical origins but also the profession often associated with families bearing this surname.

Another notable figure from the Edo period is Yonemura Sadanobu, born in 1734 and died in 1799, who served as an artisan in the court of the Tokugawa shogunate. His name appears in multiple court records and he was known for his craftsmanship in lacquerware, a significant art form in Japan at the time. This indicates the Yonemura name was not exclusive to farming but was also found among skilled artisans.

As time progressed into the Meiji period (1868-1912), Japan underwent significant social and political changes, including the modernization of its government structures and the establishment of a compulsory family registry system. During this era, Yonemura Shintaro, born in 1852 and deceased in 1908, gained prominence as a local politician in the Osaka region. His contributions to regional governance and community development are well-documented in municipal records.

In the 20th century, the surname Yonemura continued to appear in various fields of Japanese society. Yonemura Kaoru, born in 1910 and dying in 1985, was a respected academic known for his research in agricultural sciences, reflecting the historical connection to rice farming while also signifying the evolution of the family's professional pursuits. His academic publications have left an indelible mark on the field, making the Yonemura name recognizable in scientific circles.

Lastly, Yonemura Satoshi, a mid-20th century author born in 1943 and passing away in 1999, contributed to Japan’s literary scene with his poignant works focusing on rural life and traditional Japanese values. His literature often drew from his upbringing in a farming village, thus perpetuating the cultural and historical connotations associated with his surname.

Through different eras of Japanese history, the surname Yonemura has held onto its cultural roots while adapting to the changing social landscape. From farmers to artisans, politicians to academics, the name has been borne by individuals who have made significant impacts in their respective fields, each adding depth to the rich tapestry of its history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yonemura

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

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 Yonemura was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 7.55% 24
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 71.38% 227
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 13.84% 44
Hispanic Origin 6.29% 20

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 Yonemura has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 7.55% 5.92% 24.20%
Black (S)% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 71.38% 79.93% -11.30%
American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races 13.84% 10.86% 24.13%
Hispanic 6.29% 2.30% 92.90%

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

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

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"Yonemura last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 25, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/yonemura-surname-popularity/.

"Yonemura last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/yonemura-surname-popularity/. Accessed 25 November, 2024

Yonemura last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/yonemura-surname-popularity/.

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