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

Yean, 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 Yean surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yean in America

Yean is the 94311th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yean surname appeared 194 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 Yean.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yean 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 Yean

The surname Yean is relatively rare and somewhat enigmatic in its origins. The most credible evidence points to its roots in East Asia, particularly China. Scholars believe that the name likely emerged around the Tang Dynasty period, approximately the 7th to 10th century. The name can be traced back to specific regions like Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, where historical records indicate the presence of families bearing similar surnames.

The etymology of Yean is believed to derive from ancient Chinese characters that signify grace and tranquility. In Mandarin, it may be associated with the character Yan, which holds meanings relating to elegance or peace. The name might have been transliterated in different ways over centuries, contributing to variations in its spelling and pronunciation.

Historical references to the surname Yean are sparse but noteworthy. One of the earliest documented instances appears in the classical text "The Tang Dynasty Annals," where a minor official named Yean Qiu was noted for his administrative skills in Nanjing around 841 AD. This suggests that the surname had a degree of standing and respectability early on.

The surname also appears in historical shipping records of the Ming Dynasty, during which a merchant named Yean Lei was mentioned as part of the trading expeditions in the early 15th century. His contributions to maritime trade between China and Southeast Asia were significant, earning him a spot in various historical documents.

One key figure in history with the surname Yean is Yean Zhang, a scholar from the Song Dynasty who lived from 1024 to 1089. He was a noted calligrapher and poet, whose works were often cited in literary collections of the era. His surviving manuscripts provide essential insights into the culture and aesthetics of his time.

In more recent centuries, Yean Ho, born in 1785 and deceased in 1843, became a prominent figure during the late Qing Dynasty. He was a well-regarded physician whose medical texts were influential in traditional Chinese medicine. His works continue to be referenced by practitioners and historians alike.

The name Yean surfaces once again in the records of the Republic of China era. Yean Li, a military general, was born in 1887 and played a crucial role during the Xinhai Revolution, which led to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic in 1912. His leadership was pivotal during the initial tumultuous years of the nascent republic.

Lastly, Yean Kim, an artist born in 1921, gained international fame in the mid-20th century for his modern interpretations of traditional Chinese painting techniques. Exhibited in galleries across Europe and North America, his works contributed to the global appreciation of Chinese art, bridging cultural divides.

The surname Yean, while not exceedingly common, carries with it a rich tapestry of historical significance, connecting bearers of the name through centuries of Chinese history and culture. Its legacy is preserved through notable figures who have impacted various fields, from literature and medicine to military and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yean

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

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

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

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