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

Yanus, 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 Yanus surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yanus in America

Yanus is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yanus surname appeared 127 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 Yanus.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yanus 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 Yanus

The surname Yanus has its origins in the regions of Eastern Europe, primarily within the areas that now comprise Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. The name began to appear in medieval records around the 14th century. Etymologically, the surname Yanus is believed to be derived from the Slavic root "Jan," which is a variant of the given name "John," meaning "God is gracious" in Hebrew. The suffix "us" is a typical Slavic patronymic or diminutive ending, indicating descent or association with a person named Jan. Alternative forms found in various languages include Janusz in Poland and Janus in Latin contexts.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Yanus appears in Polish historical records. A document from 1385 references a certain Piotr Yanus of Krakow, an early indication of the name being used in urban centers. In Lithuanian records, documents from the early 15th century mention a noble family by the name of Yanus, who were landowners in the region of Vilnius. One notable figure from this family was Stanisław Yanus, who was born in 1423 and died in 1489, serving as a court official and later a governor.

A significant point in the history of the name Yanus is its appearance in the Vilnius Population Census of 1528, where the name is listed multiple times, signifying its spread among the local populace. Another noteworthy figure bearing the surname is Jakub Yanus, born in 1562, who went on to become a prominent scholar and cleric in 17th-century Poland, contributing significantly to theological writings of his time. His works were published and circulated widely, cementing his influence in religious and scholarly circles.

By the 17th century, the surname Yanus began to appear frequently in Ukrainian territories, reflecting shifts in population dynamics and cultural influences. An important historical reference is the legal case involving Anna Yanus, born in 1601, a landowning widow whose legal battle over inheritance rights was documented in the Kyiv Court Records of 1645. Her case became a landmark in local legal history, illustrating the societal roles and legal status of women during that period.

In the 18th century, the name Yanus continued to proliferate, with records showing its presence in various parts of Eastern Europe. One notable military figure was General Aleksander Yanus, born in 1705 and dying in 1768, who played a crucial role in the battles during the War of Polish Succession. His contributions were chronicled in military reports and he is often credited with key strategies that led to significant victories.

The Yanus name carries with it a rich tapestry of historical narratives, reflecting the dynamic cultural and social landscapes of Eastern Europe through the centuries. Whether in governance, scholarship, or military service, individuals with the surname Yanus have played important roles in the historical heritage of the regions they hailed from.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yanus

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

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

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

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