Surname Takeuchi - Meaning and Origin
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Takeuchi: What does the surname Takeuchi mean?
Takeuchi is a Japanese surname, usually found among families who practice the Shinto religion. It often is found among families from Okinawa and Kyushu. The name Takeuchi translates to “fighting luck” and is derived from the kanji characters for “victory” and “luck.” Historically, residents of the Takeuchi region of Okinawa were known for their battle prowess and skill in combat. The men were known to take part in martial arts such as karate and kenjutsu.
Families bearing the Takeuchi surname are believed to be descended from the Nakatomi clan, one of the four great clans of ancient Japan. The Nakatomi clan's ancestor, Takeuchi no Sukune, was a legendary figure who fought many battles and was a master blacksmith. He was one of Japan's earliest legendary warrior heroes, revered for his strength and courage.
Today, the Takeuchi family is considered one of the oldest Japanese clans, having a long tradition of martial arts, craftsmanship, and intelligence. Members of the Takeuchi clan are still respected for their skills in combat. They are also known for their careful work ethic, dedication, and commitment to whatever task they put their minds to. The motto of the Takeuchi clan is “Tsuyoi mono ni tayoreba - If you rely on the strong, you will be able to stand proudly.”
Order DNA origin analysisTakeuchi: Where does the name Takeuchi come from?
The last name Takeuchi is common mainly in Japan. According to some sources, it is the 12th most common surname in the country, with a population of about 1.4 million people bearing the name.
The name Takeuchi is believed to have originated from the Japanese province of Takeuchi-no-kuni. It has been in existence since at least the Heian period of Japanese history (794-1185). During this period, the Fujiwara clan ruled over the region. Takeuchi eventually became a hereditary name used by the branch of the family that remained in the area.
Today, Takeuchi is a fairly common surname throughout Japan, where it is found mainly in the western part of the country. It is also found in significant numbers in Okinawa, where it is the 8th most common surname.
The name is also common in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States. According to the 1990 census, there were 6,220 people in the US with the last name Takeuchi, making it the 556th most common surname in America. In the 2000s, that number had grown to 8,440, making it the 463rd most common last name in the US.
It is also found in significant numbers in other countries with large Japanese expatriate populations, such as Brazil, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Takeuchi
Takeuchi is an ancient Japanese surname meaning “pine tree well”. It is usually written with the same kanji characters in different combinations and can take on many different forms and spellings. Some of the most common variants include "猛内", "武内", "高内", and "竹內".
Other variants may differ drastically in pronunciation and appear to stem from different roots than the original surname. For example, the '竹井' (take-i) form of Takeuchi is pronounced “tah-eh-ee,” and means "bamboo well". Similarly, an alternate spelling of '竹腕' (take-wan) is pronounced “tah-eh-wah-n” and means “bamboo arm”.
The most common surnames derived from Takeuchi are Takata, Takahashi, Takemoto, Takamura, Takezawa, Takada, and Takeo. Many of these variations are derived from characters which can also be written as "Takeuchi", but are used in alternate order as a different, yet related surname.
In some cases, the surname Takeuchi is also written with the kanji characters for "middle" or "gate" in place of “pine tree well”. Such surnames are usually pronounced “cha” or as Uchi or Chii, with various spellings. These surnames may, in turn, form variation of Takai, Takeda, or Chikada depending on the context in which the specific surname originated.
No matter the derivative, spelling, or pronunciation, all Takeuchi surnames contain the same basic meaning of “pine tree well” and share a common Japanese heritage that dates back hundreds of years.
Famous people with the name Takeuchi
- Takeuchi Akari: Japanese actress
- Takeuchi Satoshi: Japanese singer and songwriter
- Takeuchi Masami: Japanese film director and screenwriter
- Takeuchi Akiko: Japanese voice actress
- Takeuchi Naozumi: Japanese actor
- Takeuchi Yuko: Japanese singer and actress
- Takashi Takeuchi: Japanese manga artist
- Takeuchi Kenji: Japanese professional golfer
- Takeuchi Shigeo: Japanese former football player
- Takeuchi Mariya: Japanese singer and member of the Japanese idol group Nogizaka46