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

Yard, 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 Yard surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yard in America

Yard is the 17159th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yard surname appeared 1,651 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Yard.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yard 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 Yard

The surname Yard finds its origins in England, with historical references dating back to the Middle Ages. The earliest usage appears to be concentrated in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Dorset. The name is derived from the Old English word geard, which means an enclosed area such as a yard or garden. This suggests that the surname originally denoted someone who lived near an enclosed plot of land, often signifying a homestead or an area used for agriculture.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname Yard appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists a manor named Geard in Devon. This early reference points to the significance of enclosed land and estates during Norman rule in England. It is likely that individuals working on or living near such or similar estates adopted the name as an identifier.

By the 13th century, branches of the Yard family are found recorded in various local documents. In 1296, a Robert del Yerd is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset, indicating that the surname was in use and recognized by that time. This further supports the association of the name with specific geographical areas and agricultural practices of the period.

Notable figures bearing the surname Yard include William Yard (1350-1410), a landowner recorded in legal documents in Yorkshire, and Thomas Yard, listed as a master mason in the early 15th century. These records suggest that bearers of the surname were involved in various trades and held roles of significance in their communities.

In the realms of academia and governance, John Yard (1673-1746) gained prominence as a member of Parliament for Exeter. His contributions to political life in the early 18th century highlight the continued presence and influence of individuals with this surname.

Another prominent individual was George Yard (1825-1898), an influential clergyman and philanthropist known for his charitable work and establishment of several educational institutions. His legacy includes the founding of Yard's School, which served underprivileged children in London.

The surname Yard carries historical weight and significance tracing back to its Anglo-Saxon roots. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of language and societal structure, as well as the migration and occupations of its bearers. With each recorded instance and notable individual, the name Yard continues to illustrate the rich tapestry of history it encapsulates.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yard

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

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

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

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