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

Yoza, 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 Yoza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoza in America

Yoza is the 123064th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoza surname appeared 140 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 Yoza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoza 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 Yoza

The surname Yoza originates from Japan, first appearing during the late Heian period (794 to 1185). In Japanese, the name is written as 与座, which translates to "given seat" or "seat of provision." This nomenclature often implied a family's ancestral ties to land ownership or positions of local governance, where they were entrusted with the oversight of specific regions or given seats of authority.

Earliest records of the Yoza surname can be traced back to ancient feudal Japan. In historical documentation, it was frequently tied to samurai lineage and land stewardship. For example, a document from 1183 called "Azuma Kagami," a historical chronicle of the Kamakura shogunate, mentions Yoza no Suke, a figure associated with administering regional governance.

Yoza's presence is noted in areas such as the Okinawa Prefecture, indicating that families bearing the surname migrated southward during different periods, perhaps during the Ryukyu Kingdom's prominence in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Ryukyu archipelago's integration into greater Japan further cemented the spread of the name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Yoza surname in Okinawa is associated with Yoza Chōtoku (1865-1938), an influential figure and a local leader known for advancing educational reforms in the Ryukyu Islands. His contributions played a significant role in merging traditional Okinawan practices with emerging Japanese policies during the Meiji Restoration.

Another prominent individual, Yoza Ōgimi (1890-1952), made noteworthy contributions to Japanese cultural and social activities. He was a renowned artist, whose works received national recognition, amalgamating traditional Okinawan styles with broader Japanese aesthetic practices.

In the 20th century, Yoza Shirō (1925-1984) emerged as a respected scholar in the field of Japanese folklore. His extensive research and publications on Okinawan myths and folklore remain influential in the academic sphere.

Yoza Kenji (born 1947) has been a significant political figure in contemporary Japan, advocating for socio-economic reforms and environmental conservation in the Okinawa region. His political career has spanned several decades, contributing to both regional and national policies.

Historically, Yozas have been associated with diverse fields ranging from governance, academia, arts to politics, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultural and social influence. Tracing back to feudal Japan and spanning into modern times, the Yoza surname encapsulates a blend of historical depth and regional significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoza

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

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

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

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