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

Yax, 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 Yax surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yax in America

Yax is the 21237th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yax surname appeared 1,235 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 Yax.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yax 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 Yax

The surname Yax is believed to have its origins in England, specifically in the county of Suffolk. It is derived from the Old English word egesa, meaning "awe" or "fear," which possibly points to a geographical feature or a characteristic associated with the family or individual in the early medieval period. The name has been associated with the village of Yaxley in Suffolk, where it appeared in historical records as early as the 11th century.

One of the earliest references to the surname Yax can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the village of Yaxley is noted. The name continued to evolve into various forms, such as Yaxes and Yakes, before settling into its modern form. The phonetic spelling variations suggest the influence of local dialects and linguistic changes over the centuries.

The earliest recorded example of the Yax surname in legal documents dates back to the 13th century with Henry de Yaxlee, who was mentioned in a court roll from 1275. The de Yaxlee prefix indicates a person from Yaxley, demonstrating how surnames were often linked to places of origin during this period.

Among the notable bearers of the surname, we find John Yax, a landowner mentioned in a 1412 tax assessment in Suffolk. Another historical figure was William Yax, who served as a juror at the court of assizes in Bury St Edmunds in 1504. These records provide evidence of the name’s use among the landed gentry and local officials.

In the 16th century, Richard Yax, born circa 1535, became a prominent figure in Cambridge, known for his contributions to local civic duties. The surname continued to appear in parish records and land transactions throughout the centuries.

By the 18th century, Samuel Yax, born in 1758, served in the American Revolutionary War, highlighting the name's spread across the Atlantic and its establishment in the New World. Samuel's service is documented in military records, adding depth to the surname's historical narrative.

In summary, the surname Yax has deep roots in medieval England, with its early origins tied to the Suffolk region. Its historical evolution is marked by appearances in legal documents, tax assessments, and parish records, illustrating the continuity and adaptation of the surname through centuries. Notable individuals bearing the surname have made their mark both in England and abroad, contributing to the rich tapestry of history associated with the Yax name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yax

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

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

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

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