Explore the Family Name Ishii
The meaning of Ishii
Japanese: usually written 石井 ‘rock well’, also 石居 ‘resides in a rocky place’; the latter is the original meaning. Mostly found in Chiba prefecture and the Tokyo area, it is related to the name Iwai, which has a similar meaning. The name originated variously: in Shimotsuke (now Tochigi prefecture), from the Utsunomiya branch of the northern Fujiwara, who dwelt there; from a branch of the Taira clan in Musashi (now Tokyo and Saitama prefectures); and others. Bearers of the name Ishii are also found in the northeast, around the Inland Sea, and in the Ryūkyū Islands. Some characteristic forenames: Japanese Hiroshi, Akira, Chikara, Fumiko, Kazuyoshi, Kimie, Kunio, Mamoru, Mitsuru, Shoji, Takayuki, Atsuko.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Ishii in the United States?
The surname Ishii, based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, experienced a decrease in popularity from 2000 to 2010. Ranked at 14,325 in 2000, it dropped to 15,606 in 2010, marking an 8.94% decrease. The total count of people with this surname also declined by 2.35%, from 1,918 to 1,873. Furthermore, the proportion of people with this surname per 100,000 decreased by 11.27%, going from 0.71 in 2000 to 0.63 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #14,325 | #15,606 | -8.94% |
| Count | 1,918 | 1,873 | -2.35% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.71 | 0.63 | -11.27% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ishii
Analyzing the ethnic identity associated with the surname Ishii, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data, reveals that the majority identify as Asian/Pacific Islander. However, this group saw a decrease of 8.29% from 2000 to 2010, moving from 81.91% to 75.12%. During the same period, those identifying with two or more races increased significantly by 56.52%, reaching 12.49% in 2010. Those identifying as White remained relatively stable with a slight increase of 0.93%, while those identifying as Hispanic saw a substantial rise of 99.53%. There were no changes in the Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native categories, with both remaining at 0%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 81.91% | 75.12% | -8.29% |
| Two or More Races | 7.98% | 12.49% | 56.52% |
| White | 7.56% | 7.63% | 0.93% |
| Hispanic | 2.14% | 4.27% | 99.53% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |