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

Yaniga, 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 Yaniga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yaniga in America

Yaniga is the 120187th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yaniga surname appeared 144 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 Yaniga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yaniga 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 Yaniga

The surname Yaniga has an intriguing origin that traces back to Eastern Europe, more specifically to regions that are now part of present-day Slovakia and Hungary. The name is believed to be derived from old Slavic elements, suggesting a possible connection to professions or descriptive traits. It may be connected to the word "janík," a diminutive form of Jan or John, which was a common practice in Slavic cultures signifying "little John" or "son of John."

The earliest references to surnames resembling Yaniga appear in medieval manuscripts from the 14th and 15th centuries, especially in records pertaining to village inhabitants and local governance. While not frequently mentioned in widely revered historical documents like the Domesday Book, evidence of the name appears in church registers and tax records in the Carpathian Basin region, denoting individuals who likely were involved in agricultural activities or local craftsmanship.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Yaniga surname can be traced back to a Michael Yaniga, noted in a 1427 tax census in the then Kingdom of Hungary, now modern-day Slovakia. His records indicate that he was a modest landowner, involved in local agriculture. Another notable mention comes from a 1503 record of Peter Yaniga, a blacksmith by trade, who resided in a small village near present-day Košice.

Another significant historical figure is Jozef Yaniga, born in 1750 in what is now Eastern Slovakia. Jozef was known for his contributions to local cottage industries, particularly weaving and textile manufacturing, which were pivotal trades in his area. His business acumen established the Yaniga name as associated with trade and industry during that period.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Martin Yaniga emerged as a local leader and a member of village councils in the Hont region, which was part of the Hungarian Crown lands. Born in 1775, he was instrumental in community decisions and in fostering local governance structures that benefited agricultural development.

Another prominent figure with the surname is Samuel Yaniga, born in 1821, who gained recognition as a schoolteacher in Northern Hungary, now Slovakia. His contributions to education and literacy in rural areas were notable, making him a respected figure within the community.

Lastly, Katarína Yaniga, born in 1855, is remembered for her extensive involvement in local folklore and the preservation of traditional dances and music within her community, contributing to the cultural heritage of the region.

Throughout history, the Yaniga surname has been linked to various social strata, from modest landowners and craftsmen to educators and cultural preservers. Despite its relatively localized origins, the name has a rich tapestry of associations demonstrating the family's adaptability and contributions to their societies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yaniga

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

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

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

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