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

Yant, 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 Yant surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yant in America

Yant is the 20996th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yant surname appeared 1,253 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 Yant.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yant 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 Yant

The surname Yant appears to have its origins in Eastern Europe, most notably in Germany and the regions bordering Russia and Poland. Historical linguistics suggest that the name may have been derived from the German word "jant," meaning "swift" or "quick," though the precise etymological root is somewhat obscure. There are also theories that it might be of Slavic origin, possibly derived from the given name Jan, which is a variant of John.

The earliest records that mention the surname Yant date back to the late Middle Ages, around the 14th and 15th centuries, in what is now modern-day Germany. According to historical manuscripts from that period, such as land ownership rolls and tax records, families bearing the name Yant were largely found in small villages in Bavaria and the Rhineland. The name appears sporadically in various forms, including Jant and Jahnt, due to the lack of standardized spelling in medieval documents.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Yant was Hans Yant, born in 1470 in the Rhineland. He appears in the muster rolls as a minor knight participating in local skirmishes and defending small estates. A later reference to the Yant family is found in church records from the early 1600s, specifically mentioning a Michael Yant, who was baptized in 1615 and later became a known local merchant in Bavaria.

The surname Yant also made its presence known in the New World during the wave of European immigration in the 19th century. Johann Yant, born in 1832 in Baden-Württemberg, emigrated to the United States in 1852, settling in Pennsylvania where he became a successful farmer. His descendants are recorded in various local histories for their contributions to the agricultural development of the area.

In Russia, the name Yant appeared in the late 1800s, most notably with Nikolai Yant, born in 1864 in St. Petersburg. He was a noted linguist and professor who contributed significantly to the understanding of Finno-Ugric languages. His published works from the early 20th century are still referenced in academic circles today.

One of the more modern historical figures bearing the surname Yant was Dr. Erika Yant, born in 1908 in Berlin. She was a pioneering female physician who made significant advancements in pediatric care during the mid-20th century. Dr. Yant's work was highly regarded, and she received numerous awards for her contributions to public health.

The surname has also been recorded in cultural contexts, particularly in music. Franz Yant, born in 1921 in Vienna, was an accomplished violinist whose career spanned several decades, performing with renowned orchestras in Europe and North America. His recordings from the 1950s and 1960s remain influential among classical music enthusiasts.

Overall, the surname Yant carries with it a rich history reflective of its geographical and cultural migrations. Its bearers have made notable contributions in various fields, leaving behind a legacy that endures through historical records and family genealogies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yant

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

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

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

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