NomOrigine Background

Last Name Maehara

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.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Maehara

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

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

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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.
Last updated : 26 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Mae ari (Last name)

surnames > mae-ari

The last name Mae Ari is of Japanese origin. "Mae" means "front" or "before" in Japanese, while "Ari" is a common suffix used in Japanese names. This last name likely has roots in ...

Maechling (Last name)

surnames > maechling

The surname Maechling (or Machen, Machenschlager) is of German origin and can be traced back to medieval Germany. It is derived from a nickname for someone who was skilled at makin...

Maedana (Last name)

surnames > maedana

The last name "Maedana" is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the combination of the Japanese words "mae" meaning "front" or "before" and "tana" meaning "shelf" or "stand." Thi...

Maedinah (Last name)

surnames > maedinah

The last name "Maedinah" has its origin in Arabic, specifically in the region of Saudi Arabia. It is a common surname in Arabic-speaking countries and likely refers to a place or t...

Maedmad (Last name)

surnames > maedmad

The surname Maedmad appears to have an Arabic origin. It is likely to be derived from a personal name or a location in the Arab world.

Maeenuddin (Last name)

surnames > maeenuddin

The last name "Maeenuddin" is of Arabic origin. It is a combination of the Arabic words "Ma'een" meaning spring or source, and "ud-Din" meaning of the faith (usually referring to I...

Maeer (Last name)

surnames > maeer

The last name "Maeer" does not have a specific origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it could be a variation or alteration of a different surname. Further research or p...

Maefa (Last name)

surnames > maefa

The last name "Maefa" appears to have originated in the country of Georgia. It is a Georgian surname derived from the given name Maia, which means "mother." The surname Maefa likel...

Maehler (Last name)

surnames > maehler

The last name Maehler is of German origin. It is derived from the occupational name for a miller, which comes from the Middle High German word "mülnære."

Maei (Last name)

surnames > maei

The origin of the last name "Maei" is not clear. It does not appear to have a common or well-documented origin in any specific region or language. It is possible that the name orig...

Maeiam (Last name)

surnames > maeiam

The last name "Maeiam" is of Thai origin. It is derived from a Thai word meaning "beautiful silk".

Maeism (Last name)

surnames > maeism

The surname Maeism is of unknown origin and does not appear to have a specific geographic or linguistic connection.

Maekawa (Last name)

surnames > maekawa

The last name Maekawa is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the combination of the words "mae" meaning "front" or "before" and "kawa" meaning "river". Therefore, the name Maeka...

Maell (Last name)

surnames > maell

The surname Maell is of French origin. It is believed to be a variation of the name Mayel, which is derived from the given name Mayeul, a medieval French form of the name Majolus. ...

Maemonah (Last name)

surnames > maemonah

The last name "Maemonah" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the word "ma'mun," meaning "trustworthy" or "reliable."