Uechi-Ryu Karate is named in honor of Kanbun Uechi (1877-1948). Kanbun Uechi was an Okinawan who studied a martial art style called Pangai-Noon in China's Fukien province from 1897-1910. His teacher who was, Chou-tzu-ho (a.k.a. Shushiwa), had a reputation among the old masters as being a very fine teacher. Having had the distinction of being the only Okinawan to have actually taught in China and to be accepted there as a teacher. Eventually, his reputation as a fine teacher grew, and his school was successful. It is believed that one of Kanbuns students killed another person in a land dispute. Following this incident, Kanbun left China for Okinawa, vowing he would never teach karate again. A depressed economy, led him to move to Japan in 1924. It during this time that Kanbun Uechi began teaching karate again. His son, Kanei Uechi (1911-1991) studied under his father, and soon became a master of the style. Following Kanbun's death at the age of 71 in 1948, his students renamed the style from Pangai-Noon to "Uechi-Ryu" in his honor.

With the death of Kanbun Uechi, the role as head of the style passed to Kanei Uechi, Kanbun's eldest son. Kanei was born in 1911, began training in 1927, and started teaching in 1937. Under Kanei's leadership, the style became popular and spread throughout the world.

Among the changes he made to the style, were five 'bridging' kata between the three original kata:

Pre-arranged training exercises were introduced (Kyu-Kumite & Dan-Kumite), belt rankings, and sparring. Kanei also began teaching the style to American servicemen occupying Okinawa after World War II. In 1989, Kanei Uechi relinquished his role as head of the Uechi Ryu organization due to a severe illness, and that title passed to his eldest son, Kanmei Uechi. In 1991, Kanei Uechi died at age 80.