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

Yaker, 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 Yaker surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yaker in America

Yaker is the 116201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yaker surname appeared 150 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 Yaker.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yaker 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 Yaker

The surname Yaker has its origins in medieval Spain, specifically within the regions dominated by the Sephardic Jewish community. The name Yaker is derived from the Hebrew word "Yakar," meaning "precious" or "beloved." As surnames began to be standardized in the Middle Ages, Jewish families often adopted names that reflected favorable attributes, hence the adoption of Yaker.

Records of the surname Yaker can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries, amidst the flourishing Jewish communities in Spain. Manuscripts and community records from Toledo and Cordoba, notable for their Jewish populations, contain references to families bearing the Yaker surname. These families were typically involved in trade, scholarship, and craftsmanship, which were common professions within Jewish communities at the time.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Yaker appears in a 1332 record from Toledo, referencing one David ben Yitzhak Yaker, a Jewish scholar and merchant. His name appears in a legal document concerning a transaction of goods, showcasing the integration of Jewish merchants within the broader Spanish economy.

Following the Alhambra Decree of 1492, which ordered the expulsion of Jews from Spain, many Yaker families migrated to other parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Ottoman Empire. Records from the 16th century Ottoman Empire highlight the presence of the Yaker family in cities such as Istanbul and Thessaloniki, where they continued their mercantile and scholarly engagements.

In the 17th century, one prominent individual, Rabbi Moshe Yaker (1615-1678), became known for his scholarly contributions within the Jewish community of Istanbul. His writings on Jewish law and philosophy gained recognition and are still referenced by scholars today.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Yaker appears in records in Morocco. One such individual, Abraham Yaker (1743-1812), was noted for his philanthropic work and his efforts to support the local Jewish community in Fez. His legacy included the establishment of several charitable institutions that served both Jews and Muslims.

In more recent historical references, Mohamed Yaker (1892-1963) emerged as a significant figure in Algeria. Born into a family of Sephardic descent, he became an influential political leader during the Algerian struggle for independence from French colonial rule. His efforts were instrumental in the establishment of an independent Algerian state.

Another individual of note is Rachel Yaker (1907-1985), a renowned educator and advocate for women's rights in France. Her work in the mid-20th century earned her several accolades and she is remembered for her contributions to the French education system and her role in advancing gender equality.

The surname Yaker thus carries a rich historical legacy, originating from the Sephardic Jewish heritage in medieval Spain and spreading across various cultures and geographies over the centuries. The Yaker name is associated with figures who have made notable contributions in fields such as scholarship, trade, philanthropy, and social activism.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yaker

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

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

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

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