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

Yarnal, 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 Yarnal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yarnal in America

Yarnal is the 117480th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yarnal surname appeared 148 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 Yarnal.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yarnal 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 Yarnal

The surname Yarnal is believed to have its origins in England. It likely dates back to the Middle Ages, a period rich with the formation of many of the surnames in use today. The name is predominantly found in regions such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, areas that historically have had a wealth of old English and Norse influences. Derived from old words, Yarnal could have connections to variations like Yarnell or Yernall, with 'Earn' or 'Arn' perhaps referring to an eagle in old Norse or Anglo-Saxon language, and 'halh' meaning a nook or a corner of land.

The earliest historical references to the surname Yarnal appear in various provincial records from the 14th and 15th centuries. For instance, an early instance is a mention in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, which documents a Ricardus Yarnal and an Alicis Yarnal. These records, akin to a census, were instrumental in noting the population for tax purposes and are crucial in tracing the usage of the surname.

In 1578, William Yarnal is famously documented in the parish registers of St. Michael's Church in Lancashire. This early record shows the christening details, shedding light on the settlement patterns of individuals carrying this surname. Another notable figure is Thomas Yarnal, who is mentioned in ecclesiastical records in 1604, demonstrating the surname's continuity through several generations.

The surname appears in various legal documents through the 17th and 18th centuries. For instance, James Yarnal is recorded in an estate document from 1642 in Cheshire. His involvement in land transactions and legal matters is documented in local repositories, indicating a certain degree of societal status and property ownership.

By the 19th century, one significant individual named John Yarnal emerges. Born in 1821 and active in the industrial regions of Manchester, John Yarnal made a name as an early entrepreneur in the burgeoning textile industry. His contributions to the local economy establish him as a notable figure during the Industrial Revolution, a time when many English families experienced substantial changes in their social and economic standing.

Finally, Harriet Yarnal, born in 1865, who is recorded as a prominent social activist in Lancashire, further exemplifies the surname's historical significance. Her work in women's suffrage and labor rights brought considerable attention to the social issues of her time, marking the Yarnal name in historical records of civic activism and social reform.

Overall, the Yarnal surname holds a wealth of historical significance, with its roots firmly planted in medieval England and evolving through centuries of social, economic, and legal transformations. These records and historical references provide a vivid tapestry of the surname's legacy and contributions to English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yarnal

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

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

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

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