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

Yaley, 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 Yaley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yaley in America

Yaley is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yaley surname appeared 107 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 Yaley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yaley 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 Yaley

The surname Yaley is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon period. The name likely derives from a topographical feature or a place name, possibly associated with an area characterized by a wooded or hilly terrain. Old English elements such as 'gealh' (meaning a nook or recess) or 'geat' (meaning a gate or an opening) may have influenced the early formations of the name.

Early references to similar surnames can be found in medieval English records. For instance, the Domesday Book, completed in 1086, lists various old English place names that bear linguistic resemblance to Yaley, such as Ealing or Ely, suggesting a possible connection. The spelling of surnames was not standardized until much later, so variations such as Yaley, Yalley, Yale, and Yealey could have been used interchangeably.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname dates back to the 13th century, with a William Yaley mentioned in the Sussex Rolls of 1273. Another early bearer is Richard de Yale, listed in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273. These records indicate that the surname was present in various parts of England and may have been associated with local land features or settlements.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Yaley. Sir David Yaley (1584-1652) was a prominent figure during the English Civil War, known for his loyalty to the Crown and his role in local governance in Herefordshire. Another significant individual was Thomas Yaley, a 17th-century merchant who accumulated considerable wealth through trade and was influential in the commercial life of London.

In the 18th century, Dr. Samuel Yaley (1702-1778) gained recognition as a physician and scholar, contributing to medical knowledge with his works on anatomy and public health. Similarly, in the 19th century, Captain James Yaley (1803-1886) became a celebrated naval officer, known for his explorations and mapping of the West Indies.

The surname Yaley has a rich historical context, with roots deep in English topographical history and numerous variations in spelling that reflect its evolution over centuries. Through records and notable bearers, the name has maintained a presence in historical documents, illustrating its longstanding heritage and influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yaley

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

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

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

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