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

Yonezawa, 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 Yonezawa surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Yonezawa in America

Yonezawa is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yonezawa surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Yonezawa.

The history of the last name Yonezawa

The surname Yonezawa originates from Japan, with its etymology deeply rooted in the Japanese language. It is a compound of two kanji characters: "米" (yone), which means "rice," and "沢" (zawa), which means "swamp" or "marsh." This combination suggests a meaning akin to "rice swamp" or "rice marsh," indicating a geographical connection, likely referring to areas rich in rice paddies surrounded by marshlands. The name's origins can be traced back to feudal Japan, specifically around the Edo period (1603-1868), when surnames began to be common among samurai and other societal classes.

The earliest records of the surname Yonezawa appear in various historical texts from the Edo period, often tied to the Yonezawa Domain, a feudal domain in what is now Yamagata Prefecture. The Yonezawa Domain was under the control of the Uesugi clan, a prominent samurai family. The name Yonezawa is derived from the name of the region, indicating that the surname may have initially been used to denote people from this area.

One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Yonezawa was Uesugi Yozan (1751-1822), a daimyo of the Yonezawa Domain known for his significant contributions to the domain's economic reforms and governance. Although his surname was Uesugi, his reign and actions made the Yonezawa name famous throughout the region, indirectly influencing the usage of the surname among people in the area and those associated with the domain.

Another historical figure is Yonezawa Hikokuro (1782-1838), a samurai and scholar who played an essential role during the Bakumatsu period, the final years of the Edo period before the Meiji Restoration. His contributions to the samurai code and academic pursuits were well-documented, adding to the historical significance of the Yonezawa name.

Yonezawa Ikuo (1865-1942) was a well-respected educator and author of the Meiji and Taisho periods. He was known for his influence in modernizing the Japanese education system and writing extensive works on literature and philosophy, thus cementing his legacy among intellectual circles in Japan.

In the realm of modern Japanese culture, Yonezawa Honobu (born 1978) is a contemporary novelist known for his mystery and fiction works, such as the highly popular classic literature series. His contributions to Japanese literature have garnered significant attention and praise, continuing to keep the surname relevant in contemporary times.

The surname Yonezawa has also made its mark in science and technology. Yonezawa Hideaki (1931-2016) was a renowned roboticist and engineer, credited with significant advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. His work has been influential not just in Japan but also globally, illustrating the international reach of individuals carrying the Yonezawa name.

Throughout history, the surname Yonezawa has been associated with a distinct geographical area in Japan and linked to influential figures in various fields. From feudal lords and samurai scholars to modern-day authors and scientists, individuals with this surname have significantly impacted Japan's cultural and intellectual heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yonezawa

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Yonezawa 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.

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

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

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