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

Yoshimura, 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 Yoshimura surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshimura in America

Yoshimura is the 18601st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoshimura surname appeared 1,481 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Yoshimura.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshimura 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 Yoshimura

The surname Yoshimura originates from Japan, a country with a rich tradition of family names deeply tied to its geographical and cultural landscape. The name Yoshimura is typically written with the kanji 吉 (yoshi) meaning "good luck" or "joy" and 村 (mura) meaning "village." This compound suggests that the name essentially means "good village" or "joyous village," hinting at a place of prosperity or happiness as its likely origin.

The surname Yoshimura is believed to have first appeared in the Heian period, which lasted from 794 to 1185. During this time, surnames were often associated with specific locations, indicating that bearers of the name either ruled or were affiliated with a prosperous village. This practice was similar to the use of surnames in European feudal societies.

One of the earliest references to the name Yoshimura can be found in historical records from the Kamakura period, which spanned from 1185 to 1333. Samurai clans often had the surname Yoshimura, emphasizing the importance and esteem associated with it. Various old manuscripts and registries from this era mention the name, often in the context of land ownership and governance.

The Yoshimura family name appears prominently again during the Sengoku period (1467-1603), a time marked by social upheaval and military conflicts. Yoshimura Kanesuke (1567-1600) was a noted samurai who served under the daimyo Katō Kiyomasa. His contributions to several key battles have been chronicled in historical texts, securing his place in Japanese history.

Another notable individual is Yoshimura Shigetoshi (1833-1908), a respected scholar of the late Edo period. Known for his profound influence on education reforms in Japan, Shigetoshi's works and teachings continue to be studied and revered, highlighting the intellectual legacy of the Yoshimura name.

In the field of arts, Yoshimura Kosaburo (1903-1963) was a distinguished film director whose works gained international acclaim. His movies often explored traditional Japanese themes and societal issues, earning him numerous accolades and contributing significantly to Japanese cinema's global profile.

Yoshimura Akira (1927-2006) was a celebrated author whose numerous novels and short stories earned critical praise. His works often delved into the human psyche, exploring themes of morality and the complexities of life, further enhancing the cultural impact of the Yoshimura name.

A more recent figure is Yoshimura Ichiro (1961-), who made significant contributions to wildlife conservation. His efforts in wildlife management and ecological preservation have garnered international recognition, continuing the tradition of Yoshimura individuals impacting Japanese society and beyond in meaningful ways.

The surname Yoshimura, with its profound meanings and illustrious history, carries a legacy marked by a diverse array of contributions to Japanese history, culture, and society. From samurai and scholars to directors and conservationists, the individuals bearing this name have consistently left an indelible mark, enriching the tapestry of Japanese heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshimura

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yoshimura, 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!