The surname Kogure is of Japanese origin. It belongs to a class of Japanese surnames known as "shozei" or "shi no shozei," which were created by adopting the names of places (either geographical locations, temples, or shrines) during the Edo period (1603-1868).
The name Kogure is associated with a place named Koguri in what is now Fukushima Prefecture. During the Edo period, a samurai family from that area took on the name Kogure as their surname. Over time, variations of this surname have emerged due to differences in pronunciation and spelling, such as Kouguri, Kouryu, and Kogyo.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Kogure
The meaning and origin of the last name Kogure
The surname Kogure is of Japanese origin and belongs to the group of surnames known as "Sei-i Chi-sho" which were created during the Meiji Restoration in Japan between 1868 and 1890. These new surnames were given to people who did not have a family name prior to this period, often samurai families whose names had been abolished or those who wished to change their names. The character "Kogure" (小暮) is composed of two kanji characters: "ko" (小), meaning small, and "gure" (暮), meaning dusk or evening twilight. Together, they can be interpreted as a surname that suggests someone born at dusk or in the evening. The exact origin of the name Kogure is not clearly documented, but it is one of the many new surnames created during the Meiji era in Japan.
Geographical distribution of the last name Kogure
The surname Kogure is predominantly found in Japan, particularly in the island of Honshu, where it has a significant concentration in the prefectures of Aichi, Osaka, and Saitama. It is also present in other Japanese prefectures, albeit at lower frequencies. Beyond Japan, the name is less common but can be found in countries with substantial Japanese diaspora communities, such as the United States, Brazil, Peru, and Canada. In these contexts, it may serve as a testament to historical immigration waves from Japan.
Variants and spellings of the last name Kogure
The surname Kogure can be found with various spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common variants include:
These variations may arise from the original Japanese spelling 古暮 (Kogure) or 後暮 (Ko-gure), which is typically romanized as Kogure in English. However, there might be slight differences depending on the specific transliteration system used, such as Hepburn, Nihon-shiki, or Kunrei-shiki. It's essential to consider cultural context and historical periods when encountering different spellings of Japanese names.
Famous people with the last name Kogure
Notable individuals with the surname Kogure include:
1. Atsushi Kogure (born 1974), a Japanese musician and songwriter best known as the vocalist for the visual kei band Lareine.
2. Fumihiko Kogure (1935-2018), a prominent Japanese novelist, essayist, and playwright who won the Akutagawa Prize in 1964.
3. Kenji Kogure (born 1957), a Japanese politician and member of the Liberal Democratic Party serving in the House of Representatives since 2003.
4. Kyoko Kogure (born 1935), a Japanese actress who won the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actress in 1968 for her role in "Kokusai Butoh Yaku."
5. Masahiko Kogure (born 1937), a Japanese composer and conductor, known for his work in classical music and film scores.
These individuals have made significant contributions to the fields of music, literature, politics, and cinema in Japan.
Genealogical research on the last name Kogure
The Kogure surname is primarily of Japanese origin and is derived from various regions within Japan. One notable variation is Koeguchi, which was recorded during the Edo period (1603-1868) as one of the many branches of the powerful Fujiwara clan. Another variant, Kogure-Matsumoto, can be traced back to the Mino province, where it is believed that the family originated from a samurai named Kogure Tadatsune during the Heian period (794-1185). The Kogure family has also been associated with the Kaga domain in modern-day Ishikawa Prefecture. In diaspora, the surname can be found among Japanese immigrants to Brazil, particularly in the states of São Paulo and Paraná, where they arrived primarily during the early 20th century.
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