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

Yahnke, 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 Yahnke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yahnke in America

Yahnke is the 35489th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yahnke surname appeared 634 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 Yahnke.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yahnke 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 Yahnke

The surname Yahnke is of German origin, tracing its roots back to the northern and eastern regions of Germany, particularly Mecklenburg and Pomerania. The name has its origins in the Slavic regions of these areas, where a mix of Slavic and German cultures influenced the local nomenclature. The surname Yahnke derives from the Middle Low German name Janeke, which is a diminutive form of the given name Jan, analogous to John in English, itself derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious."

In historical records, the variations of the surname Yahnke, such as Jahnke and Jahncke, appear in various German documents dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. These variations can be found in church registries, tax records, and land deeds. One early recorded instance is Hans Jahnke, who was documented in 1592 in Pomerania. The name's spelling has shifted over the centuries, influenced by regional dialects and the migration of families.

Another historical reference includes Georg Jahnke, who is recorded in the late 17th century in the records of the city of Rostock, located in Mecklenburg. Georg Jahnke was a noted figure in his community, involved in local trade and governance. The name's endurance through these periods underscores its cultural significance within these regions.

In the 18th century, the name appears in various military and immigration records. For instance, Wilhelm Jahnke, born in 1745, served in the Prussian army and later moved to the Baltic region, reflecting the movements of people within the German territories. His services and the documentation thereof highlight the spread of the surname beyond just one area.

Friedrich Yahnke, born in 1823 in former West Prussia, emerged as a larger-than-life figure, especially recognized in mid-19th century Prussian agricultural circles for his significant contributions to advancements in farming techniques. His prosperous farming enterprise and innovation earned his surname a notable place in agricultural history.

Elisabeth Jahnke, a prominent cultural figure born in 1890 in Berlin, further popularized the name with her extensive involvement in theater and literature in early 20th-century Germany. Her works, though less known today, were influential in the cultural renaissance of her time, contributing to the artistic landscape of the era.

These historical figures and records illustrate the rich tapestry of the surname Yahnke, chronicling its journey through centuries of German history. The evolution of the name, influenced by linguistic changes and migration, reflects the broader historical and cultural shifts experienced by its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yahnke

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

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

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

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