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

Yadav, 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 Yadav surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yadav in America

Yadav is the 15734th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yadav surname appeared 1,853 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Yadav.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yadav 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 Yadav

The surname Yadav originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the regions that are today known as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The name dates back to the ancient times of the Vedic period around 1500 to 500 BCE. Yadav is derived from the Sanskrit word Yadu, referring to the legendary king Yadu. The descendants of Yadu are known as Yadavas, marking the genesis of the surname.

The etymology of Yadav is rooted in ancient Hindu mythology and literature. Yadu was a prominent figure in the ancient Indian texts such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas, where he is chronicled as a significant ancestor of Lord Krishna. The Puranas mention that the Yadavas were a prominent clan of the Chandravamsha (lunar dynasty) to which Krishna belonged. Thus, Yadav literally means a descendant of Yadu.

Historically, the Yadavas were known to be a powerful and influential group. They were first mentioned in various ancient Indian scriptures and manuscripts. Inscriptions dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries have been found that reference Yadava rulers. Historically, the name Yadav has been associated with various dynasties, such as the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty that ruled parts of present-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh between the 9th and 14th centuries.

The earliest recorded examples of the Yadav surname appear in medieval Indian history. One of the most notable figures is King Bhillama V, who ruled the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty from 1187 to 1191. His reign marks significant achievements in expanding the kingdom and consolidating its power.

In terms of place names, the name has been associated with many regions in India. The city of Devagiri (modern-day Daulatabad) served as the capital of the Yadava dynasty during the rule of King Bhillama V and his successors. Some variations in place names related to Yadav rulers exist due to regional linguistic influences.

Another historic figure bearing the surname is Simhana, a prominent Yadava king who ruled from circa 1200 to 1247. During his reign, the Yadava dynasty reached its zenith, establishing significant architectural and cultural advancements in the region.

Further historical reference to the Yadav surname includes the medieval military leader Raja Jai Singh Yadav, who played a crucial role in resisting invasions during the late medieval period, contributing to his community's lasting legacy.

Jagat Singh Yadav was another influential Yadav figure who played a pivotal role in the early resistance against colonial forces during the 19th century. His contributions are remembered in local folklore and recorded in regional historical accounts.

In the realm of modern history, Rao Tula Ram Yadav (1825-1863) stands out as a notable freedom fighter during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He led forces against British colonial rule, leaving an indelible mark on the history of India's struggle for independence.

Over centuries, the Yadav surname has remained a testament to the rich cultural and historical fabric of India, rooted deeply in ancient traditions, mythologies, and significant epochs of Indian history. All these aspects together paint a detailed and intricate history of the surname Yadav, woven with tales of valor, governance, and resilience.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yadav

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

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 Yadav 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 Yadav 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 Yadav was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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