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

Yuki, 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 Yuki surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yuki in America

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

The Yuki 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 Yuki.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yuki 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 Yuki

The surname Yuki has its roots in Japan and can be traced back to the aristocratic families of the Heian period, which lasted from 794 to 1185. During this time, surnames were often derived from geographical features of the land owned by noble families, and Yuki is no exception. The name is traditionally written with the kanji characters "幸," meaning "happiness" or "good fortune," and "城," meaning "castle." Alternatively, it can be written as "由紀," combining "origin" and "chronicle," indicating a possible connection to historical chronicles or records.

Yuki was a prominent name in the Chūgoku region, particularly in what is now known as Okayama Prefecture. Historical references to the name appear as early as the Kamakura period (1185-1333), where members of the Yuki clan served as retainers to the Minamoto shogunate. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in historical documents is found in the Azuma Kagami, a chronicle of the Kamakura shogunate, where a samurai named Yuki Tomomitsu is mentioned as participating in various military campaigns.

The Yuki clan's influence continued into the Muromachi period (1336-1573), where they were known for their military prowess. Yuki Harutomo, born in 1510 and deceased in 1582, was a prominent samurai warrior who served under the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga. Harutomo is noted for his role in the Battle of Okehazama, which significantly contributed to Nobunaga's rise to power. His legacy is commemorated in various historical texts and remains a notable figure in Japanese military history.

Another famous bearer of the surname was Yuki Munehiro, a daimyo (feudal lord) during the Sengoku period. Born in 1537 and dying in 1590, Munehiro was the lord of Tsuyama Castle and played a crucial role during the turbulent times of the warring states. He is recorded in the "Shinchō Kōki," a chronicle detailing the life of Oda Nobunaga, highlighting his contributions to various military campaigns.

By the Edo period (1603-1868), the Yuki name had settled into a more peaceful existence. Yuki Sato, a prolific haiku poet born in 1772 and passing away in 1835, gained recognition for his literary contributions. His works are featured in several Edo period poetry anthologies, showcasing the cultural shift of the Yuki family from warriors to scholars and artists.

During the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, Japan underwent significant modernization and Westernization, leading to the establishment of modern governmental and social structures. Yuki Tomoko, born in 1865 and dying in 1932, was an influential educator and women's rights activist. Her advocacy for women's education and participation in public life is well documented in Meiji era records and journals. Tomoko's efforts contributed to the progressive changes in Japanese society, making her a notable figure in the history of the Yuki surname.

The Yuki surname, with its rich historical background and notable figures, remains an integral part of Japan's cultural and historical heritage. Its evolution from a marker of geographical origin to a symbol of martial prowess and intellectual contribution reflects the dynamic history of the land and its people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yuki

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

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

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

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