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

Yakish, 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 Yakish surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yakish in America

Yakish is the 156044th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yakish surname appeared 104 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 Yakish.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yakish 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 Yakish

The surname Yakish likely finds its origins in Eastern Europe, with particular concentration in areas that are now part of modern-day Ukraine, Poland, and Russia. Historical linguistics suggest that Yakish may be derived from a Slavic root, possibly linked to the name Yakov or its variations, which is a Slavic form of the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning supplanter or holder of the heel. The suffix -ish could denote familial relation or a diminutive form, indicating "son of Yakov" or "little Yakov."

The surname Yakish appears in regional records as early as the 16th century. In the territories comprising the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, names bearing the root Yakov or Yake were quite prevalent. Families bearing this surname often resided in regions with significant linguistic and cultural Polish-Ukrainian overlap, such as Galicia and Volhynia.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname Yakish can be traced back to a land record from 1583 in the province of Volhynia, listing a certain Michal Yakish as a landowner. This record provides valuable insight into the socioeconomic status and mobility of individuals with the surname during that time.

Historical records from the 17th and 18th centuries frequently mention individuals named Yakish. Notably, Ivan Yakish (1602-1670), a merchant in the bustling trade city of Lviv, contributed significantly to the regional economy. His business dealings extended into the broader Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, highlighting the name's prominence beyond provincial borders.

During the 19th century, the surname Yakish can be found in records related to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, reflecting the shifting geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe. Among notable individuals, Aleksander Yakish (1798-1867), a composer from Kraków, gained recognition in musical circles, further solidifying the cultural presence of the name Yakish.

In addition to its presence in Eastern Europe, emigration during the early 20th century brought the surname to the United States. For instance, Nicholas Yakish (1889-1945), who emigrated from Ukraine, became a respected figure in immigrant communities in New York, advocating for the rights and integration of Eastern European immigrants.

While the surname Yakish may not be among the most common, it carries a rich history intertwined with the diverse and turbulent history of Eastern Europe. Each recorded bearer of the name contributes to the intricate tapestry of its legacy, reflecting various aspects of cultural, socioeconomic, and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yakish

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

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

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

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