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

Yake, 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 Yake surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yake in America

Yake is the 35294th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yake surname appeared 638 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 Yake.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yake 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 Yake

The surname Yake has its origins in the British Isles, specifically in England, with historical references dating back to the early medieval period. The precise etymology is somewhat ambiguous, but it is believed to have derived from a place name or geographical feature. One theory is that Yake may have originated from Old English elements such as "geac," meaning cuckoo, which could have denoted a resident near a place known for these birds. This aligns with the tradition of surnames being tied to local landmarks or fauna.

In historical references, the surname Yake is rarer compared to other surnames from the same period but appears sporadically in records and manuscripts. One of the earliest mentions can be traced back to the 12th century, though exact documentation is scarce. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not directly list Yake, but it provides a snapshot of the Norman influence on English surnames during that time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Yake can be found in parish records in the county of Yorkshire in the late 13th century, where a John Yake is listed as a witness to a land transaction in 1275. Another prominent mention is in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1327, with the name Richard Yake appearing as a taxpayer. These records suggest the name had some presence in northern England, likely associated with rural communities or smaller settlements.

Over time, variations in the spelling of Yake emerged, reflecting changes in dialect and phonetic interpretation. Some of these older spellings include Yakee, Yakke, and Yeak. These variants can be found in administrative and legal documents from the 14th and 15th centuries, indicating the name’s persistence even as orthographic standards evolved.

A notable historical figure bearing the surname Yake is Sir Thomas Yake, who lived in the late 16th century. Born in 1562 and passing in 1621, Sir Thomas was a minor nobleman in Lancashire and is recorded in the annals of local governance. His name appears frequently in legal disputes and land grants during the Elizabethan era, suggesting a position of some influence.

Moving forward to the 18th century, the name Yake appears in colonial American records as well. One prominent individual is William Yake, born in England in 1710 and later emigrating to Virginia in 1735. His name appears in shipping manifests and land acquisition papers, illustrating the migration patterns of the time.

Another significant person with the surname Yake is Mary Yake, born in 1784 in Pennsylvania. She was involved in early feminist movements and contributed to the founding of local charity organizations. Her life's work, largely focused on education and social reform, left a lasting impact on her community, with mentions in local histories and archives.

In the early 19th century, Joseph Yake, born in 1803, was a noted pioneer in the Ohio Valley. His expansive diary, which details daily pioneer life, farming practices, and interactions with Native American tribes, remains a valuable historical resource. Joseph Yake's contributions to his community are commemorated in several local history publications.

These early mentions and records illustrate the persistence of the surname Yake through centuries and highlight its connection to various historical periods and geographical locations. While not the most common surname, its presence in written records provides valuable insights into the social and migratory patterns of those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yake

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

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

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

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