Ishii Family History

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.