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

Yeaney, 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 Yeaney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeaney in America

Yeaney is the 108199th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeaney surname appeared 164 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 Yeaney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yeaney 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 Yeaney

The surname Yeaney is believed to have its origins in the British Isles, primarily England. The earliest instances of the name seem to stem from the medieval period, with specific roots in the rural, agrarian societies of the 14th and 15th centuries. The name likely originated from a localized dialect or a particular vernacular, possibly signifying a familial or occupational attribute.

The name Yeaney appears to be a variation of earlier surnames such as Yenne, Yeoman, or even the more obscure Yeny, which were common in English records. One of the archaic roots might be linked to the Old English word 'geong,' meaning 'young,' which could have evolved into a surname indicating youthful strength or a junior family member.

Historical references to the name Yeaney or its variations can be traced to medieval tax rolls and manorial records. While the name Yeaney itself does not appear in the Domesday Book of 1086, variations like Yenny or Yonne have been documented in similar registers from the 13th century. One of the earliest recorded mentions of a similar surname is John de Yenny, listed in the Hundred Rolls of 1275, a source of medieval census data.

The earliest concrete example of the surname Yeaney can be found in parish records from the mid-16th century. Richard Yeaney, born in 1542 in Norfolk, England, was a yeoman farmer—a status denoting a freeholder who owned his land. Another notable figure is Thomas Yeaney, a merchant from London who died in 1611, indicating that some members of the Yeaney family had moved from agrarian settings to urban environments.

Through the centuries, the Yeaney surname appeared in various forms in English legal documents, wills, and church registers. Robert Yeaney (born 1675) from Suffolk is recorded as a participant in local civic affairs, illustrating the evolving role of the family in community governance. During the 18th century, the name appeared in colonial American records, displaying the dispersal of the surname outside the British Isles. A documented example is William Yeaney, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1723, seeking new economic opportunities in the New World.

By the 19th century, the name Yeaney had spread across different regions, both within and outside England. Mary Yeaney, born in 1824 in Yorkshire, was registered in the 1841 England Census, engaged in the textile industry, which was booming during the Industrial Revolution. Another prominent individual was Jonathan Yeaney, born in 1831, who served as a local magistrate in Manchester, indicating the family's continued presence in public service roles.

Overall, the surname Yeaney presents a rich tapestry of historical evolution, originating from medieval England and gradually branching out to become part of the broader Anglo-Saxon diaspora. The name has transitioned through various forms and societal roles, showcasing a resilient legacy across centuries and continents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeaney

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

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

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

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