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

Yakey, 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 Yakey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yakey in America

Yakey is the 118185th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yakey surname appeared 147 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 Yakey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yakey 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 Yakey

The surname Yakey is believed to have its origins in the British Isles, specifically in England, during the medieval period. The name likely originated as a variant of a more common surname such as Yeakey or Yakeley, which themselves may derive from local place names or ancient personal names. The historical roots of the name stretch back to areas in southern England, where it was predominantly found among rural communities. The name Yakey is derived from older English words related to geographical features or settlements.

The Domesday Book, an extensive survey of England completed in 1086, does not directly reference the name Yakey; however, it does provide clues through similar phonetic variations. It's possible that Yakey evolved from yeoman names documented in medieval charters and land grants. The absence in the Domesday Book suggests that Yakey might be a later development, emerging as surnames became more commonplace in later centuries.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Yakey appears in parish records from the 16th century. For instance, John Yakey is mentioned in records from Worcestershire dating back to 1543. This suggests that the family established roots in this region and were likely involved in agriculture or trade typical of the time.

John Yakey (1543-1598) is a notable historical figure who contributed to local community affairs in Worcestershire. Another individual of note is William Yakey (1630-1687), who appears in probate records detailing his estate, indicating the family's growing prominence. By the 17th century, the name Yakey appears sporadically in various legal documents across England, hinting at a gradual spread.

A key historical figure bearing the name is Thomas Yakey (1680-1735), who was recorded as part of the urban trading class in London. His involvement in the burgeoning mercantile community of the capital marked a significant social step for the name. The documentation of his business transactions provides a glimpse into the early modern commercial networks of England.

In the 18th century, records indicate that James Yakey (1708-1764) emigrated to the American colonies, settling in Pennsylvania. His descendants would later become notable figures in the local community, with land deeds and other legal records bearing the Yakey name. This migration underscores the movement of the Yakey lineage beyond English shores, contributing to the broader tapestry of the surname's history.

Fanny Yakey (1755-1823) is another significant individual in the historical tapestry of the name. Her letters and diaries, preserved in historical archives, offer a vivid portrayal of life during the American Revolutionary period. The legacy of the Yakey name thus extends from its English origins to the New World, encapsulating a rich and varied history shaped by socio-economic changes and migration patterns over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yakey

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

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

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

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