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Last Name Maehara

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What is the origin of the last name Maehara?

The surname Maehara originates from Japan and is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the term "mae" which means "front" or "fore" in Japanese, and "hara" which means "field" or "open space". As such, the name Maehara can be interpreted to mean "the field at the front", "the open space in front", or simply "in front". The name is common among the Japanese population.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Maehara

The meaning and origin of the last name Maehara

The surname Maehara is of Japanese origin, specifically from the island of Honshu. It is a geographical name that derives from a place or topographical feature that once resided near where the ancestor lived. The word "Maehara" translates to "front field" or "forefield" in Japanese. This surname may have been given to someone who lived on a plot of land at the front or entrance of a village or estate, denoting a significant location within the community. Over time, these topographical names became hereditary and were passed down from generation to generation, forming an essential aspect of Japan's family identity.

Geographical distribution of the last name Maehara

The Maehara surname is primarily found in Japan and is most concentrated in the prefectures of Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, and Tokyo. According to genealogy databases, the name originated from the province of Mino (present-day Gifu Prefecture) during the Edo period, where it was a common name among samurai families. The name is derived from the Japanese words "mae" meaning "front" or "before," and "hara" meaning "field" or "open area." Over time, as people migrated for various reasons, the distribution of the Maehara surname expanded across Japan. Currently, there are also smaller populations of people with the Maehara name in countries such as Brazil, Canada, the United States, and Australia, where Japanese immigrants have settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Maehara

The surname Maehara has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common versions include Maeda (pronounced as "Mae-da"), which is the original form in Japanese, while Maehira, Maeharae, Mehara, and Mahara are less common variants. In English, the name can also be transliterated as Maehara- or Meihara-. It is important to note that Japanese names do not have a fixed order like in many Western cultures; family names usually come before given names. Therefore, Maehara can refer to both the given name (Mei) and the family name (Hara).

Famous people with the last name Maehara

Notable individuals with the surname Maehara include:

1. Kiyoshi Maehara (1926-1993), a Japanese theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and was a prominent advocate for peace and disarmament.
2. Masami Maehara (born 1958), a Japanese businessman and former president of the Japanese video game company, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., known for his leadership in the entertainment industry.
3. Tomohiro Maehara (born 1986), a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for J1 League club Shonan Bellmare and the Japan national team.
4. Yoshikazu Maehara (born 1952), a Japanese manga artist best known for his work on the series "Detective Conan" and "Kindaichi Case Files."

Genealogical research on the last name Maehara

The Maehara surname originates from Japan and is primarily associated with the Tohoku region, particularly Aomori Prefecture. According to Japanese naming customs, it suggests a family that resided at a place named Maehara, which translates to 'front slope' in English. The Maehara clan is believed to have descended from the Fujiwara clan, one of Japan's most powerful and influential clans during the Heian period (794–1185). Over time, several branches of the Maehara family spread across different regions due to various historical events such as the Sengoku period (1467–1603) and subsequent relocations. Today, the Maehara surname is widespread within Japan with notable individuals in various fields like politics, business, and arts.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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