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

Yanity, 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 Yanity surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yanity in America

Yanity is the 107134th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yanity surname appeared 166 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 Yanity.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yanity 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 Yanity

The surname Yanity is believed to have originated in Eastern Europe, specifically from the areas that are now modern-day Slovakia and Hungary. The surname first appeared during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th to 15th centuries. It is derived from the Slovakian or Hungarian adaptation of the Slavic personal name Jan, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious."

The surname Yanity has undergone various spelling changes over the centuries. In earlier records, it was sometimes spelled as Jánity or Janity, reflecting regional linguistic variations. It is believed that the Anglicized form, Yanity, emerged as Eastern Europeans migrated to English-speaking countries and adapted the spelling for easier pronunciation and integration.

Historical records of the name Yanity are sparse, but certain mentions can be found in old parish records and feudal documents. One of the earliest known references comes from a 16th-century Hungarian tax document that lists a Miklós Jánity as a landowner in what is now northern Hungary. This document is dated around 1575.

One prominent figure bearing this surname was István Jánity, a military officer in the Kingdom of Hungary during the late 17th century. Born in 1638 and dying in 1702, István played a notable role in defending Hungarian territories during the Ottoman wars. His contributions were recorded in several military chronicles of the time.

In the 19th century, the name Yanity began to appear more frequently in American records, attributed to the wave of Eastern European immigration. Mihály Yanity, born in 1821 in Slovakia and emigrated to the United States in 1850, became a notable figure in the Pennsylvania coal mining community. His leadership and advocacy for miner's rights were well-documented in local histories.

Another significant individual was Anna Yanity (née Janity), born in 1864 and a known community activist in early 20th-century Cleveland, Ohio. Her work in establishing support networks for Eastern European immigrants is frequently mentioned in sociological studies of immigrant communities.

Joseph Yanity, born in New York in 1892 and passing away in 1957, was a celebrated figure in the American labor movement, particularly known for his efforts in organizing textile workers during the Great Depression. His speeches and writings were influential in labor rights advancements.

Lastly, Elisabeth Yanity, born in 1918 and deceased in 2004, was a notable educator and scholar in the field of Slavic studies. Her extensive research on the Slavic languages and her contributions to the preservation of Eastern European culture have been recognized in academic circles worldwide.

Through these historic records and individuals, the surname Yanity reflects a rich heritage rooted in Eastern European history, characterized by resilience and adaptation through migration and societal change.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yanity

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

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

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

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