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

Yankson, 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 Yankson surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yankson in America

Yankson is the 136449th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yankson surname appeared 123 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 Yankson.

The history of the last name Yankson

The surname Yankson has its roots in Ghana, particularly among the Akan people, who are the largest ethnic group in the country. The name is believed to have originated in the western region of Ghana, around areas such as Sekondi-Takoradi and other coastal towns. It possibly dates back to the 18th or 19th century, a time when surnames became more formalized among Africans due to increased interaction with Europeans.

Etymologically, the name Yankson appears to be a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Yank," with "Yank" being a given name. The origins of the given name Yank could be influenced by the Akan language or contact with European names and cultures.

One of the earliest known recorded forms of the name Yankson can be traced back to the British colonial period in Ghana. Records from the late 19th century indicate individuals bearing this surname during the time when the British were establishing greater administrative control over the Gold Coast.

The name appears in various old records such as baptismal certificates, marriage records, and colonial reports. An early example includes John Yankson, documented in a British colonial administrative record from 1895. Another significant individual, Daniel Yankson, contributed to local governance and was mentioned in historical texts from the early 20th century, around 1910.

Yankson is also associated with notable figures in more recent history. For instance, Benjamin Yankson, born in 1936 and active in Ghanaian politics during the country's movement towards independence, played a substantial role in the local community of Takoradi. A musical heritage is highlighted by Paapa Yankson, born in 1944 and deceased in 2017, who was a widely respected highlife musician and contributed significantly to contemporary Ghanaian music.

Additionally, in sports, Emmanuel Yankson, an athlete born around the mid-20th century, represented Ghana in various international competitions, making the name familiar on the global athletic stage. Finally, Elizabeth Yankson, an educationalist and advocate for women's rights in Ghana, born in 1939, represents the surname's presence in social activism and educational reforms throughout the late 20th century.

These historical footprints of the surname Yankson illustrate its varied contributions in politics, culture, and social developments within Ghana and beyond. The depth of its history signifies a rich cultural heritage embedded within the broader narrative of the African continent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yankson

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

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 Yankson 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.

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

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

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