Find out how popular the last name Yac is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Yac.

Yac, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Yac surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yac in America

Yac is the 52970th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yac surname appeared 391 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Yac.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yac to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Yac

The surname Yac likely originates from Eastern Europe, with the most substantial evidence pointing towards Poland. Its first appearances date back to the late Middle Ages, specifically around the 14th century. The name's etymology could be traced to the Old High German word "jach," meaning "hunt." Consequently, the surname may have initially been associated with professions or activities related to hunting. Alternatively, the name could stem from the Polish word "jac," which means "to shine" or "to gleam," suggesting an association with characteristics like brightness or distinction.

Historic records from the 15th century hint at the presence of families bearing the name Yac in the regions of Silesia and Greater Poland. A notable document is the medieval Poznań records from 1452, which mention a Jakub Yac as a participant in a property dispute, highlighting his standing within the community. Yac family namesakes appeared sporadically in the records of land ownership and local governance, signifying their involvement in regional affairs.

By the 16th century, the surname Yac was rare but documented in local chronicles. One such reference includes a 1538 record from Kraków listing a Jan Yac as a merchant. This suggests that bearers of the name were engaged in trade and commerce. The presence of such individuals in Kraków, a significant cultural and trade center, indicates an upward social mobility.

Further prominent individuals with the surname appear in the 17th and 18th centuries. For instance, in 1671, Mateusz Yac, an apprentice in Toruń, gained recognition for his craftsmanship in the burgeoning local industry. Another entry shows Katarzyna Yac, born in 1712, a notable figure involved in various philanthropic activities within her community in Lublin.

During the late 18th century, the name once again surfaces in historical documents. In 1784, military service records from the Kingdom of Poland list a soldier named Andrzej Yac, who served in one of the regiments defending the country's eastern borders.

Lastly, the surname appeared in academic circles in the 19th century. Grzegorz Yac, born in 1829, is noted for his contributions to Polish literature and his affiliation with the University of Warsaw. His works remain an essential part of Polish intellectual heritage.

The surname Yac, though relatively uncommon, carries with it a rich historical tapestry, woven through various societal roles and contributions over the centuries. Its evolution reflects the diverse activities and significance of its bearers in the contexts of medieval and modern history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yac

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Yac.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Yac was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Yac has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Yac was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yac, please contact us.

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