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

Yassa, 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 Yassa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yassa in America

Yassa is the 68345th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yassa surname appeared 288 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 Yassa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yassa 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 Yassa

The surname Yassa is believed to have its origins in the regions surrounding present-day Turkey and Egypt, traceable to the medieval period. Emerging around the 12th to 14th centuries, the name is deeply rooted in the nomadic cultures and agricultural societies prevalent in these areas. The surname has variations in spelling, including Yassa and Yase, which can often be found in ancient manuscripts and local records.

The etymology of the name Yassa is potentially tied to the Turkic word yasa, meaning “law” or “decree”. This adaptation would make sense given the historical context where surnames often represented professional or social standings. The Mongolian empire under Genghis Khan’s reign also had a code of law known as "Yassa", which could further associate the name with governance and societal rules.

Historical references to the name have been found in Turkish and Egyptian records from the 13th century. One such record from 1265 mentions a local chieftain named Mustapha Yassa, who managed a tribe in Anatolia. Another early mention includes an Egyptian trade document from 1350 that references Iman Yassa, an influential merchant who facilitated trade between Cairo and the Spice Islands.

Moving into the 15th and 16th centuries, the surname Yassa appeared more frequently in Ottoman Empire records. This increase coincided with the empire's expansion, enhancing the name's presence in various regions from North Africa to Southeastern Europe. Sultan Abdul Yassa (1470-1545), an advisor to the Ottoman court, played a significant role in diplomatic negotiations with European powers, further embedding the name in historical annals.

One of the earliest documented European mentions of the surname is from a manuscript dating back to 1503, where Giovanni Yassa, an Italian scholar, is noted for his translations of classical texts into Turkish. His contributions to the academic world remained influential through the Renaissance period.

The surname also made its way into the Arabian Peninsula. In 1657, a recorded treaty between the emirates noted the name Hamid Yassa, a Bedouin leader who was instrumental in resolving tribal conflicts. These instances showcase the surname's spread across various cultures and regions through trade, governance, and scholarly works.

Famous historical figures bearing the surname include Ali Yassa (1698-1752), an eminent Ottoman architect who designed several key structures in Istanbul, combining traditional Islamic and emerging European styles. Another notable person is Leyla Yassa (1841-1907), an Egyptian poet whose works delved into themes of nationalism and social reform during a period of intense cultural renaissance in Egypt.

Tracing further into the name's reach, Amina Yassa (1889-1933) was an activist and leading figure in the Egyptian feminist movement, advocating for women's education and rights. Her publications and public speaking engagements left a longstanding impact on societal norms in the region.

The surname Yassa exhibits a fascinating journey through history, from the laws of ancient empires to the rising intellectual and political movements of later centuries. This rich background highlights the interconnectedness of diverse cultures through a single name, reflecting its broad historical footprint.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yassa

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

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

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

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