Cultures / Japanese Names / Murakami
村上

Murakami

村上 — Above the Village

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Origin & History

Murakami means 'above the village' (村上) and is a topographic surname denoting a settlement on elevated ground above other villages. The Murakami clan claimed descent from Emperor Murakami (926–967) via the Genji line and became powerful samurai in Echigo Province (Niigata), where they were known as the Murakami Navy, a formidable maritime force. The name is especially common in Niigata and western Japan.