Itou is an alternate transcription of the Japanese surname Itō, one of the most common surnames in Japan. The spelling Itou reflects a different romanization convention, often used in older or French-influenced systems, as opposed to the more standard Hepburn romanization Itō. Both forms are derived from the same Japanese kanji: 伊 (meaning "this" or an ornamental prefix) and 藤 (meaning "wisteria"). The second character, 藤 (tō), is a common suffix in Japanese surnames, historically indicating a connection to the Fujiwara clan. The Fujiwara were a powerful aristocratic family that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period (794–1185). Many Japanese surnames derived from 藤, such as Itō, Satō, and Katō, are among the most prevalent in the country. The Itō surname itself has been borne by historic figures like Itō Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan, and Itō Jinsai, a noted Confucian scholar. Variants include the simpler spelling Ito, which omits the macron. Meaning: Combination of 伊 (i, "this") and 藤 (tō, "wisteria"), often indicating a branch of the Fujiwara clan Origin: Japanese Type: Surname Usage Regions: Japan, and among Japanese diaspora worldwide