Yeagy last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Yeagy

A habitational name for someone from any of several places in England whose name derives from the Old English words "geaginga" or "geahunga" meaning "dweller by a marsh."

Yeagy, 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 Yeagy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeagy in America

Yeagy is the 126018th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeagy surname appeared 136 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 Yeagy.

The history of the last name Yeagy

The surname Yeagy is believed to have German origins, likely emerging from the southwestern region of Germany, specifically within areas such as Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg. The name appears to have derived from the German surname Jäger or its variant, Jaeger, which translates to hunter in English. The linguistic roots can be traced back to the Middle High German term jeger, and the Middle Low German jäger, both indicating someone whose occupation involved hunting.

The earliest historical references to names akin to Yeagy can be found in various medieval German records and documents from the 14th to 16th centuries. Although these earlier forms would have been spelled differently, such as Yager or Jäger, they share a common heritage attributable to the trade and profession of hunting, which was pivotal in medieval society.

The name saw various adaptations as families emigrated, particularly to the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. Among the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname Yeagy in America was Johannes Yeagy, born in 1725 in Germany, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in the mid-18th century. His presence helps mark the transition and anglicization of the name.

During the late 18th century, another notable individual, Heinrich Yeagy, born in 1767, furthered the lineage in America. Records show that he was a prominent member of his community, often participating in local governance and agricultural advancements.

In Ohio, in the early 19th century, Jacob Yeagy, born in 1802, was recognized as an influential farmer and community leader. His contributions to developing early agricultural practices in his region underscored the name's continued association with land and productivity.

The surname Yeagy also appears in early American military records. Adam Yeagy, born in 1832, served in the Union Army during the American Civil War, marking his participation in significant historical events that shaped the United States.

The surname evolved over time and saw various spellings, including Yagy, such as in the case of Samuel Yagy, born in 1870, known for his work in the burgeoning railway industry of the late 19th century. His participation highlights the adaptation and integration of the family name into broader American society.

By analyzing these historical paths, it is clear that the surname Yeagy has rich German roots and has made a noteworthy imprint both in its country of origin and across the Atlantic in America. The journey of the name reflects broader historical movements and societal developments, from medieval trades to modern professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeagy

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

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 Yeagy was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 92.65% 126
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 5.88% 8

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.

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

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

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"Yeagy last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/yeagy-surname-popularity/.

"Yeagy last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/yeagy-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 December, 2024

Yeagy last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/yeagy-surname-popularity/.

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