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

Yaw, 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 Yaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yaw in America

Yaw is the 18766th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yaw surname appeared 1,461 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 Yaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yaw 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 Yaw

The surname Yaw has its origins in the British Isles, particularly in England. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name likely originated in regions such as East Anglia or the Midlands, areas known for their rich linguistic history and the melding of Old English and Scandinavian influences.

Yaw may be derived from the Old English word "geawe" or "gāwian," meaning to look or watch. This etymological root suggests that the original bearers of the name could have been watchmen or lookouts, a role of significant importance in medieval communities. Another possible origin is the Old Norse "gjá," meaning a cleft or chasm, hinting at a geographic feature near the bearer's place of residence.

Historical references to the surname Yaw appear sporadically in early records, such as manorial rolls and tax registers. One of the earliest recorded examples is from the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John Yaw appeared as a landholder in Northamptonshire. Such records suggest that the family was involved in agricultural or rural occupations, common for the period.

The Poll Tax Records of 1377 list a Richard Yaw in Yorkshire, indicating the spread of the surname across the country. Further evidence of the name appears in the 16th century, with a Thomas Yaw mentioned in the Ipswich Borough Court Rolls of 1568. This suggests that members of the Yaw family were engaged in trade or local governance.

The name also shows up in church records from the 17th century. A notable example is William Yaw, born in 1615 in Norfolk, who emigrated to the American colonies in 1637. His journey reflects the broader wave of English migration to the New World during that period, driven by economic opportunities and religious freedoms.

In the 18th century, the surname appears in military records. James Yaw, born in 1742, served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. Such references highlight the involvement of the Yaw family in significant historical events and their contribution to the military history of the British Isles.

The name Yaw also appears in various legal documents and wills from the early 19th century. Ann Yaw, born in 1790, left a detailed will in 1829, providing insights into the family's social and economic status. This document indicates that the Yaw family had established themselves as respectable members of their community by this time.

Overall, the surname Yaw carries a rich historical heritage, with roots deeply embedded in the medieval social fabric of England. Its evolution and spread over centuries reflect the broader trends of migration, social mobility, and economic change. The presence of the name in various historical records underscores the enduring legacy of the Yaw family across time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yaw

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

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

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

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