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

Yamnitz, 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 Yamnitz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yamnitz in America

Yamnitz is the 86645th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yamnitz surname appeared 215 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 Yamnitz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yamnitz 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 Yamnitz

The surname Yamnitz has its origins in Eastern Europe, specifically derived from the regions that now encompass Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. The name has Slavic roots, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of the area. It is believed to have originated between the 12th and 14th centuries, a time of significant territorial changes and migrations in these regions.

Yamnitz likely derives from an Old Slavic word related to "jam," meaning "pit" or "hollow," potentially describing a geographical feature near where the original bearers of the name lived. Another theory posits that it could stem from "yamnik," a term used to describe a trapper or someone who digs pits for hunting purposes. Spelling variations like Yamnytz, Yamnetz, and Jamnitz have been noted in historical documents, reflecting the fluid nature of spelling in medieval times.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Yamnitz appears in a 15th-century Polish manuscript, which lists a certain Jan Yamnytz as a landowner in the region of Galicia, a historical and geographic area that spans modern-day Poland and Ukraine. This record helps to cement the regional origins of the surname.

Over the centuries, members of the Yamnitz family have held various roles within their communities. One notable figure is Michał Yamnitz, born in 1562 and known for his work as a scribe in the town of Lviv. His detailed writings provide valuable insights into the everyday life and administrative workings of the period. A gravestone in a 17th-century cemetery in Kraków marks the resting place of Katarzyna Yamnitz, born in 1608 and known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly in aiding orphans and widows.

In the 18th century, the Yamnitz surname appears in military records, with Captain Stanisław Yamnitz, born in 1723, becoming a distinguished officer in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's army. His military service is detailed in documents from the era, highlighting his participation in several key battles and his contributions to the defense of the realm.

By the 19th century, as emigration increased, the Yamnitz name began to appear outside Europe. Records from Ellis Island in the United States list Ihor Yamnitz, born in 1847, as an immigrant who arrived in New York in 1882. Ihor subsequently settled in Chicago, where he worked as a blacksmith and became an active member of the local Eastern European community.

A final notable mention is Sofia Yamnitz, born in 1892 in Warsaw. She gained recognition as a pianist and composer, with her works performed in various European capitals. Sofia’s music reflected the cultural and historical complexities of her heritage, earning her a distinguished place in musical history.

The Yamnitz surname, with its rich historical tapestry, stands as a testament to the dynamic and diverse history of Eastern Europe. Each recorded instance of the name provides a glimpse into the lives and contributions of its bearers, spanning centuries and continents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yamnitz

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

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

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

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