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

Yealy, 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 Yealy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yealy in America

Yealy is the 145220th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yealy surname appeared 114 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 Yealy.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yealy 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 Yealy

The surname Yealy is of English origin and is believed to have first appeared during the early medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name has roots in the southern regions of England, particularly in areas such as Sussex and Kent. It is derived from the Old English word "geæl," which means "fertile," suggesting that the original bearers of the name might have lived in or near fertile land. Alternatively, the name could be a locational surname derived from a place name, possibly an unknown or lost village named "Yeale."

One early reference to a variant of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1210, where a Richard de Yele is mentioned. This suggests that the name was well established by the early 13th century. Over the centuries, the name has seen various spellings, including Yele, Yeale, and Yeal, before settling into its modern form, Yealy.

A notable historical figure with the surname is Thomas Yealy, recorded in the Norfolk Subsidy Rolls of 1524. This indicates the spread of the surname from its original southern roots to other parts of England. Another significant reference is Elizabeth Yealy, who appears in the parish records of Kent in 1592, further supporting the surname's association with southern England.

In the 17th century, the name Yealy began to appear in colonial America. One of the earliest recorded instances is John Yealy, who emigrated from England to Virginia in 1653. His arrival marked the beginning of the surname's presence in the New World, where it continued to evolve and establish itself.

Moving into the 19th century, another notable bearer of the surname is Sarah Yealy, born in 1802 and recorded in the church registers of Devon. Her presence signifies the continued use of the surname within England, even as some family members moved abroad.

Among the famous individuals with the surname is Dr. Henry Yealy, born in 1821 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who became a prominent physician in the late 19th century. His contributions to the medical field were significant during his time, and his surname remained a respected one in the American medical community.

The surname Yealy, though not exceedingly common, carries with it a rich history tied to the fertile lands of southern England and its spread across continents over the centuries. The lineage includes a diverse array of people who have contributed to their communities, both in England and abroad, establishing the Yealy name as one of noted heritage and historical presence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yealy

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

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

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

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