Last Name Otake

The surname Otake (お竹) is of Japanese origin. It translates to "bamboo field" or "bamboo grove" in English. Surnames in Japan were formally established during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Initially, Japanese people did not have family names. However, due to social and administrative needs, a system of hereditary surnames was created whereby samurai adopted the name of their clan or lord, while commoners took names associated with their occupation, place of origin, or physical characteristics. The Otake surname may have originated from a family who lived in or near a bamboo field or grove, or from someone who had a profession related to bamboo, such as a craftsman or farmer. Today, Otake is a relatively common Japanese surname and can be found throughout Japan.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Otake

The meaning and origin of the last name Otake

The surname Otake (お吏家) is of Japanese origin and derives from the ancient Japanese occupation-based naming system (氏名, shimyō). It translates to "a family that has produced officers" or "a family of military officials." The character "o" (お) signifies respect or honor, while "take" (吏) represents an officer. The suffix "-ke" (家) denotes a family or lineage. Historically, the Otake family was prominent in Japan's feudal system and held high military positions. It is also possible that individuals with the surname Otake were descendants of warriors who had distinguished themselves in battle. Today, it remains a relatively common surname in Japan, with variations including 大吏家 (Ōtake) or 乙吏家 (Tsuyuotake), reflecting regional differences in pronunciation.

Geographical distribution of the last name Otake

The surname Otake is predominantly found in Japan, where it originates from the region of Kansai, including cities like Osaka and Kyoto. Historically, the name was often associated with samurai families or artisans in these areas during the Edo period (1603-1868). The Otake clan, also known as the Takamatsu Otake, were prominent daimyos (feudal lords) in the 17th and 18th centuries. As a result of historical events such as immigration and emigration, significant numbers of people with the last name Otake can be found in other countries that have received Japanese immigrants, including Brazil, Peru, United States, Canada, Australia, and Hawaii. However, the highest concentration of Otakes remains in Japan, particularly in the Kansai region.

Variants and spellings of the last name Otake

The surname Otake can have various spellings and variations, often due to differences in transliteration from Japanese characters. Some common variants include:

1. Otaki - This spelling is an alternative that may be found among individuals with the same family name.
2. Otake - Another variation that might occur due to differences in pronunciation or transcription.
3. Ohtake - This variant includes the kanji character for 'large' or 'great,' often added to personal names in Japan for a more honorable or respectful connotation.
4. O'Take - In some cases, surnames may be anglicized by adding an apostrophe before certain vowels, such as in this example.
5. Otako - While it is less common, this spelling could result from a phonetic transcription or typing error.
6. Uotake - This is a less frequent variation that might arise when the family name is written with different kanji characters. In this case, the characters for 'cave' and 'stone' are used instead of the more common ones for 'great' and 'hill.'

Famous people with the last name Otake

Otake is a relatively uncommon Japanese surname, but it has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most prominent is Hiroaki Otake (1948-2007), a Japanese theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to condensed matter physics and string theory. Another notable figure is Aiko Otake (born 1965), a Japanese actress who gained fame for her roles in films such as "Mizu no Kuni no Alice" and "Kuroneko". In the world of martial arts, there's Shigeru Otake (born 1938), a master of Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. Lastly, Akira Otake (born 1952) is a renowned Japanese composer and conductor who has worked with various orchestras around the world. These individuals, each excelling in their respective fields, have made significant contributions to their industries and left lasting legacies.

Genealogical research on the last name Otake

The Otake surname is believed to have originated from Japan, specifically the island of Kyushu, where it is one of the more common surnames. The earliest known record of the Otake family can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868). One of the most notable members was Hirotoshi Otake, a prominent figure in the Meiji Restoration. He served as a samurai under the domain of Satsuma and played a crucial role in the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate. In Japan, the Otake family is found primarily in prefectures like Fukuoka, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. Over time, members of the Otake clan immigrated to other parts of Asia, Europe, and America, with significant communities now residing in Hawaii, California, and Brazil.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Otake"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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