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

Yoshioka, 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 Yoshioka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshioka in America

Yoshioka is the 22770th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoshioka surname appeared 1,125 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 Yoshioka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshioka 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 Yoshioka

The surname Yoshioka originates from Japan. The name has deep historical roots, as Japanese surnames often developed during the Heian period (794-1185 AD), a time marked by significant cultural and political development. Yoshioka is composed of two elements: "yoshi" (吉) meaning "good fortune" or "joy," and "oka" (岡) meaning "hill" or "ridge." The name likely referred to a family living near or on a fortunate hill, indicating a connection to the landscape and perhaps the family's social status or occupation.

The Yoshioka surname is historically linked to the Kyoto region, where the Yoshioka-ryu school of swordsmanship originated. The first recorded mention of this surname dates back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573), when Yoshioka Kenpo, a master swordsman, made significant contributions to martial arts. He lived during the late 15th century but specific birth and death dates are not well-documented.

During the Sengoku period (1467-1603), Yoshioka Kannosuke became widely known. Born in 1510, Kannosuke was a renowned swordsmith and martial artist. His contributions were critical to the Yoshioka-ryu’s reputation, and he passed away in 1553. His legacy continued through figures like Yoshioka Seijuro, a contemporary of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Seijuro was defeated in a duel by Musashi in 1604, a historical encounter that was chronicled in various texts and forms part of Japanese cultural lore.

Another significant historical figure from this family is Yoshioka Akiyoshi (1833-1906), a noted statesman and educator during Japan’s Meiji era. He played a key role in modernizing Japan’s educational system and served in various governmental positions, which contributed to the country's rapid development in the late 19th century.

Yoshioka Yayoi (1871-1959) was a pioneering female doctor in Japan. She broke significant gender barriers in a predominantly male profession and is remembered for her contributions to public health, particularly in the areas of tuberculosis treatment and women's healthcare. Her work not only advanced medical practice but also pushed forward the cause of women's rights in Japan.

Yoshioka Minoru (1933-2014) was a celebrated Japanese painter and sculptor known for his abstract and avant-garde works that challenged conventional art forms. His contributions left a lasting impact on Japan’s contemporary art scene, earning him recognition both domestically and internationally.

The history of the Yoshioka surname, with its roots deeply embedded in Japanese culture, showcases a rich tapestry of contributions to martial arts, government, medicine, and the arts. Over centuries, those who bore the surname Yoshioka have left indelible marks on various facets of Japanese history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshioka

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

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

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

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