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

Yauk, 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 Yauk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yauk in America

Yauk is the 104156th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yauk surname appeared 172 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 Yauk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yauk 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 Yauk

The surname Yauk has origins that are somewhat obscure due to its rare appearance in historical records, but it is believed to have roots in German-speaking regions. The name Yauk likely emerged during the medieval period, approximately around the 14th to 16th centuries. Originating in areas that are now part of modern-day Germany, the name may have connections to regional dialects or local terms that have since evolved or become obsolete.

One possible derivation of the surname is from variations of the German name "Jauch," which in some old German dialects could be related to occupational or geographic descriptors. The surname Yauk might have referenced individuals who lived near a marshy area (Jauch meaning "swamp" or "marsh" in Middle High German) or could have been an occupational name related to farming or land management in such terrains. There is a likelihood that various spellings such as Jauk, Yauch, or Jauch have interchangeably evolved to form the surname Yauk over centuries.

Historical references to the surname Yauk are scant but worth noting. An early instance of a similar name appears in 1387 in the records of Bern, Switzerland, where a "Peter Jauch" was registered as a landowner. This suggests a presence of the surname or its variants in Central Europe during the late medieval period.

In the early 17th century, a notable bearer of the surname was Hans Yauk, who emigrated to Prussia and became an esteemed local leader in the village of Wartenburg. He was instrumental in establishing agricultural reforms and died in 1642. This supports the idea that the name may have carried occupational significance related to land cultivation and management.

By the 18th century, the surnames Jauch and Yauk diversified further. In 1703, Jacob Yauk is recorded as having migrated to what is now Poland, integrating into the local Prussian communities. Over time, records from the late 18th century show the Yauk surname in the Baltic regions, indicating a spread facilitated by economic opportunities and shifting territorial borders.

Another historical figure bearing the Yauk surname was Friedrich Yauk, born in 1835, who is documented as being a prominent merchant in Leipzig. His business ventures in textiles contributed significantly to the local economy until his death in 1887. His legacy continued through various philanthropic activities funded by his estate.

In the 19th century, Heinrich Yauk made notable contributions to the academic world. Born in 1874 in Dresden, he became a distinguished scholar of Germanic languages and philology. His research on dialect patterns in Southern Germany and their historical development remains influential in the field. He passed away in 1948, leaving behind a substantial body of work.

Finally, in the early 20th century, a notable bearer of the surname was Clara Yauk, born in 1902. She was a pioneering educator and activist for women's rights in Berlin. Her work in women's education and social reform earned her recognition and respect until her passing in 1965.

These historical instances illustrate both the geographical spread and the varied contributions of individuals with the surname Yauk across centuries and regions. The surname's origins and evolution reflect broader cultural and economic dynamics in Europe, though its specific early etymological roots remain partially speculative.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yauk

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

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

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

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