Ishikawa

Origin & History

Ishikawa means 'stone river' (石川) and is a topographic surname for families living near a rocky, stony river. Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast takes its name from the Ishikawa district. The Ishikawa clan of the Sengoku period was a branch of the Tokugawa who served as key retainers. The legendary thief Ishikawa Goemon also made the name famous in Japanese folklore.