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

Yoshii, 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 Yoshii surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshii in America

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

The Yoshii 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 Yoshii.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshii 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 Yoshii

The surname Yoshii originates from Japan and can be traced back to the ancient periods of Japanese history. Derived from the kanji characters 吉 (yoshi), meaning 'good luck' or 'good fortune,' and 井 (i), meaning 'well' (as in a water well), the name suggests a place associated with good fortune or well-being. This combination of kanji characters often indicates that the bearers of this surname may have been well-regarded or prosperous, linked to a good water source which was crucial in ancient times.

Yoshii has historical significance in various regions of Japan, especially in the Kanto and Kansai areas. The Kanto region includes Tokyo, while Kansai covers areas like Osaka and Kyoto. The surname is often seen in these areas owing to the distribution and settlement patterns of families through the feudal and Edo periods of Japan.

Historical references to the surname Yoshii are found in old records and manuscripts from the Edo period (1603-1868). For instance, clan records and koseki, or family registries, from this time often list the Yoshii surname, providing insight into the genealogy and prominence of the family. During the Edo (Tokugawa) period, the name likely gained further distribution as families moved and settled in different areas under the new administrative divisions.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Yoshii can be linked to Yoshii Sanada, a samurai of the Sengoku period (1467-1615). Born in 1554 and a notable vassal of the Takeda clan, Sanada's actions and loyalty are documented in several historical texts, emphasizing the bravery and strategic prowess that were esteemed characteristics of the period.

Yoshii Kiyonari, who died in 1615, was another samurai of the late Sengoku period. He served the Odawara Hojo clan and was involved in several key battles during the Siege of Odawara. This period was marked by intense warfare and clan consolidation, making Kiyonari's military service a crucial aspect of the name's historical context.

During the Edo period, a prominent figure was Yoshii Masanori, a Confucian scholar born in 1643, who significantly contributed to Japanese intellectual circles. His scholarly work and teaching helped proliferate Confucian philosophy during the time, marking an era when intellectual and cultural achievements were highly valued.

In the Meiji era (1868-1912), Yoshii Isamu became well-known as a poet and literary figure. Born in 1872, Isamu's poetry reflected the changing social and political landscape of Japan as it modernized and opened to the world. His work remains influential in Japanese literature, showcasing the adaptability and creative spirit associated with the name.

Yoshii Seitaro, born in 1898, was a celebrated potter who gained acclaim for his mastery of traditional ceramic techniques. His works are considered culturally significant and are often displayed in museums dedicated to Japanese art and craftsmanship.

The history of the Yoshii surname encapsulates a blend of military prowess, scholarly achievements, and artistic contributions, reflecting the diverse and enduring legacy of families bearing this name across different historical periods in Japan. Each bearer of the name has contributed to its standing as a symbol of good fortune, intellectualism, and creativity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshii

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!