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

Yankovich, 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 Yankovich surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yankovich in America

Yankovich is the 35721st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yankovich surname appeared 629 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 Yankovich.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yankovich 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 Yankovich

The surname Yankovich has its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly in Serbia, Croatia, and other regions of the former Yugoslavia. The name is derived from the patronymic tradition, indicating "son of Janko" or "descendant of Janko." The name Janko itself is a diminutive form of the name Jan, which is equivalent to John in English and has roots in the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious."

In its earliest forms, Yankovich likely appeared as Janković or Yankowic, with various spellings influenced by regional languages and dialects. These variations can be seen in historical documents dating back to the Middle Ages, where Latinized versions often recorded names in legal documents and church records. The suffix "-ovich" is common in Slavic languages, denoting lineage, and is often found in Serbian, Croatian, and Russian surnames.

Records from the 15th and 16th centuries in the territories of modern-day Serbia and Croatia provide some of the earliest mentions of the surname. For instance, a 1499 church record from a parish in Serbia lists a certain Mihailo Yankovich, indicating the name's usage and its integration into societal structures. Similarly, a Croatian merchant named Ivan Yankovich appears in trade documents from the late 16th century, highlighting the name's presence in various economic activities.

One of the most prominent historical figures bearing this surname is Sava Yankovich, a Serbian military leader in the 18th century who played a significant role during the Austrian-Turkish wars. Born in 1694, he became renowned for his strategic acumen and bravery, ultimately earning distinction and recognition in both Serbian and Austrian military history. Sava Yankovich’s contributions are documented in numerous military archives and historical texts from the period.

In the realm of academia, Matija Yankovich was a noted Croatian scholar and writer in the early 19th century. Born in 1796, Matija contributed extensively to the fields of Slavic linguistics and cultural studies. His works remain influential in understanding the linguistic evolution of the Slavic languages and the cultural exchanges within the Balkans. Matija's manuscripts and published works are preserved in national libraries and continue to be studied by scholars.

Moving to the 20th century, Dragan Yankovich, born in 1924, emerged as a significant figure in Yugoslavian politics. He served in various governmental roles during the mid-20th century, particularly within the framework of the socialist state. His policies and political strategies were pivotal during a period of considerable change in Eastern Europe. Dragan's efforts are chronicled in governmental records and political analyses of the era.

Finally, in the field of science, Aleksandra Yankovich, born in 1956, gained international recognition for her work in the field of chemistry. Her contributions to pharmaceutical chemistry and drug development have been celebrated in scientific communities worldwide. Aleksandra has published numerous research papers and holds several patents, reflecting the ongoing influence of the Yankovich name in contemporary scientific advancements.

The surname Yankovich encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural and historical influences, with its roots firmly planted in Eastern European tradition and extending across various realms of human endeavor. Through centuries of usage, the name has evolved while maintaining its connection to its original meaning and geographic origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yankovich

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

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

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

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