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

Yea, 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 Yea surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yea in America

Yea is the 89069th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yea surname appeared 208 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 Yea.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yea 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 Yea

The surname Yea likely originates from England, with its roots traceable back to the medieval period. This surname is derived from areas in the West Country, specifically from Devon and Somerset. The name Yea is believed to be of toponymic origin, stemming from various place names in this region. It appears that Yea could be connected to the Old English word "ea," meaning "river" or "water," indicating that early bearers of the name resided near a river or water source.

Historical references to the surname Yea can be found in various medieval records. One of the earliest mentions appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset, dated 1327, which lists a William atte Yea. This early record highlights the existence and usage of the surname during that period.

Throughout history, the surname Yea has appeared in different forms and spellings, reflective of regional dialects and phonetic interpretations. Closely related surnames such as Yeo and Yea may be found in archival documents and indicate a common etymological origin.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Yea include Edward Yea, who served as the Rector of Morebath in Devon from 1483 to 1501. His contributions to the church and local community during the late 15th century are well-documented in ecclesiastical records.

Another prominent individual is James Yea, who lived in the early 17th century and had several landholdings in the Somerset region. His death in 1650 marked the continuation of the Yea family’s presence in the area across centuries.

John Yea, born in 1798, served as a renowned agriculturalist in Devon. His work in improving farming techniques and local crop yields earned him recognition and respect among his contemporaries.

In the 19th century, Captain Charles Lacy Yea distinguished himself in military service. Born in 1808, he fought in the Crimean War and was noted for his bravery at the Battle of the Alma in 1854. His leadership and heroism made a significant impact before his untimely death in 1855 during the Siege of Sevastopol.

William Walter Yea, born in 1843, contributed greatly to historical research and archival preservation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work in documenting local histories and genealogies provides valuable insights into the Yea family lineage and the broader historical context in which they lived.

The surname Yea, with its deep historical roots and varied notable bearers, reflects a rich tapestry of English heritage and familial legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yea

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

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

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

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