History of your Surname
Get access to Ishii family records.Start a free trial

Ishii Family History

Ishii Name Meaning

Japanese: usually written 石井 ‘rock well’ also 石居 ‘resides in a rocky place’; the latter is the original meaning. Mostly found in Chiba prefecture and the Tokyo area it is related to the name Iwai which has a similar meaning. The name originated variously: in Shimotsuke (now Tochigi prefecture) from the Utsunomiya branch of the northern Fujiwara who dwelt there; from a branch of the Taira clan in Musashi (now Tokyo and Saitama prefectures); and others. Bearers of the name Ishii are also found in the northeast around the Inland Sea and in the Ryūkyū Islands.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Ishida, Imai, Iwai, Shi, Oishi, Seki, Shan, Nishi, Iseri, Tsuji

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Ishii family from?

You can see how Ishii families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ishii family name was found in the USA, and Canada between 1911 and 1920. The most Ishii families were found in USA in 1920. In 1920 there were 35 Ishii families living in Hawaii. This was about 41% of all the recorded Ishii's in USA. Hawaii had the highest population of Ishii families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ishii surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Ishii ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Laborer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Ishii. 25% of Ishii men worked as a Laborer and 36% of Ishii women worked as a Laborer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ishii were Truck Driver and Housekeeper. .

View Census Data for Ishii | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    25%
  • Carpenter
    12%
  • Salesman
    10%
  • Truck Driver
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    36%
  • Cook
    18%
  • Packer
    12%
  • Housekeeper
    12%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Ishii family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Ishii. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ishii census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Ishii

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Ishii. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Ishii immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 937 military records available for the last name Ishii. For the veterans among your Ishii ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Ishii military records

You've only scratched the surface of Ishii family history

Discover More

What is the average Ishii lifespan?

Between 1946 and 2004, in the United States, Ishii life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1946, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Ishii in 1946 was 38, and 89 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ishii

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Ishii family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Ishii last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial