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

Yoshizawa, 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 Yoshizawa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoshizawa in America

Yoshizawa is the 74608th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoshizawa surname appeared 259 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 Yoshizawa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoshizawa 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 Yoshizawa

The surname Yoshizawa originates from Japan and is particularly associated with geographical features and specific localities. The name can be broken down into two kanji characters: "Yoshi" (吉) meaning "good fortune" or "luck," and "zawa" (沢), which translates to "marsh" or "swamp." The name likely referred to families living near or around areas that were recognized for their auspicious marshlands or wetlands, making it a toponymic surname.

Yoshizawa first appeared in historical records during Japan's Edo period (1603-1868), a time marked by relative peace and stability under the Tokugawa shogunate. During this era, population registration and clan documentation became more systematized, which contributed to the recording and preservation of surnames like Yoshizawa. Some of the earliest mentions of Yoshizawa can be found in koseki (family registries) of the time, particularly in regions such as Kanto and Kansai.

An early recorded figure with the surname Yoshizawa is Yoshizawa Ayame I, born in 1673. He was a renowned kabuki actor noted for his onnagata roles—male actors portraying female characters—during the Genroku period. His contributions to Japanese theatre are well-documented, and his performances blazed a trail for future generations in the performing arts.

Yoshizawa Chū, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was another notable figure. Born in 1866, he was a politician and former governor who contributed significantly to local governance and modernization efforts in his region, particularly within Yamanashi Prefecture. His leadership and policies are recorded in various governmental documents of the Meiji era.

Moving into the 20th century, Yoshizawa Akira, born in 1911, was a pivotal figure in the world of origami. He is widely credited with elevating the traditional Japanese craft to an art form through his innovative techniques and widespread exhibitions. Akira's influence and creative works were instrumental in promoting origami worldwide, and his legacy continues through numerous books and instructional materials.

Yoshizawa Hisayuki, born in 1940, is a historian and author known for his extensive research on Japanese medieval history. His scholarly contributions have been crucial in understanding the socio-political dynamics of feudal Japan, and his works are often cited in academic circles.

Yoshizawa Hitomi, born in 1985, is a former Japanese singer and actress known for her time as a member of the popular girl group Morning Musume. Her career in entertainment brought her widespread recognition in the contemporary pop culture landscape, and she played a significant role in the group's success in the early 2000s.

The surname Yoshizawa not only bears historical significance but also demonstrates the impact of individuals carrying the name across various spheres of Japanese culture and history. From the Edo period to contemporary times, the Yoshizawa name has been associated with artistic contributions, governance, intellectual pursuits, and popular culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoshizawa

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

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

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

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