Show ContentsEndo Surname History

Etymology of Endo

What does the name Endo mean?

The origins of the surname Endo lie in the Far East nation of Japan. The name is made up of two elements: "en," meaning "far," and "do," meaning "wisteria."

Early Origins of the Endo family

The surname Endo was first found in the Heian period, when members of the higher classes first began to assume surnames that were based on their occupations, their cities of origin, or a location of their places of residence. The name Endo was most likely originally assumed by someone living in a remote area with wisteria bushes. The aristocratic Endo family was instrumental during this early period, playing a major role in the development of a uniquely Japanese culture.

Early History of the Endo family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Endo research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Endo History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Endo Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Endo, Endou, Endoo, Endoh, Endow and others.

Early Notables of the Endo family

More information is included under the topic Early Endo Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Endo Ranking

In the United States, the name Endo is the 15,524th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Endo family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Gikyo Endo, who immigrated to Hawaii in 1905; Kiyoshige Endo, who arrived in Canada in 1906; later settling in California; Eisaku Endo, who emigrated from Shizuoka to Cache Valley in 1907.


Contemporary Notables of the name Endo (post 1700) +

  • Shusako Endo (1923-1996), well-known Japanese Christian novelist
  • Hiromi Endo (b. 1986), Japanese boccia player, bronze medalist at the 2024 Paralympics
  • Orie Endo, Japanese researcher and professor of sociolinguistics


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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