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

Yank, 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 Yank surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yank in America

Yank is the 77788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yank surname appeared 246 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 Yank.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yank 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 Yank

The surname Yank has its origins in Eastern Europe, most likely stemming from Poland or Ukraine. Historically, this region experienced a blend of various cultural and linguistic influences, which contributed to the formation of surnames. The name Yank is believed to have emerged around the late medieval period, roughly in the 14th or 15th centuries. It is possibly derived from the given name Jan, a common name in Poland and Ukraine that corresponds to John in English. Over time, diminutives and variations such as Janko or Yanko could have evolved into the surname Yank.

The earliest references to the surname Yank come from parish records and local legal documents in the regions of modern-day Poland and Ukraine. These records were meticulous in documenting land ownership, births, marriages, and deaths, which helped to preserve the surname's historical footprint. For example, a 16th-century land registry book from Lviv (then part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) mentions a Mikołaj Yank, indicating the name’s existence and usage during this period.

Historical archives also reveal the name in various forms and spellings. In a 17th-century manuscript from Krakow, the name Janko appears multiple times, gradually transitioning to Yank in subsequent records. The evolution of spelling was influenced by local dialects and the administrative practices of those documenting the names. In another instance, a tax record from 1620 lists a family by the name of Yanko residing in the rural outpost near Kyiv.

Several notable figures in history have borne the surname Yank. For instance, Jakub Yank (1625-1687), a respected scholar and theologian from Krakow, made significant contributions to the religious literature of his time. Another prominent individual was Ivan Yank (1783-1851), a military leader who played a crucial role in the Napoleonic Wars, serving under the Russian Empire. His strategic acumen was well-documented, and his legacy continued through numerous historical accounts.

Further into the 19th century, Maria Yank (1820-1892), a renowned poet from Warsaw, gained acclaim for her evocative and nationalistic poetry during a time of significant political upheaval in Poland. Her literary works continue to be studied for their cultural and historical importance. In the early 20th century, Alexander Yank (1890-1943), an influential political figure in Ukraine, contributed to the country's national movement and participated in key political reforms.

The name Yank also appears in geographical contexts. The village of Yankovtsi, located in western Ukraine, is believed to be named after a prominent family bearing the Yank surname. Old maps and regional documents indicate that the name has been associated with this area for centuries, further cementing its historical relevance.

Throughout history, the surname Yank has demonstrated a rich and varied past, rooted deeply in the socio-political changes and cultural intermingling of Eastern Europe. The individuals named Yank have left an indelible mark on their respective fields, from academia and military to literature and politics, ensuring that the name continues to be recognized and celebrated.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yank

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

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

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

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