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

Yeap, 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 Yeap surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeap in America

Yeap is the 100791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeap surname appeared 179 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 Yeap.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yeap 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 Yeap

The surname Yeap is believed to have originated from Southern China, particularly from the coastal provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, regions known for their significant emigration history. The surname likely emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th centuries, a time when many Chinese families were adopting surnames.

The name Yeap is a Romanized form of the Chinese surname 葉 (Yè in Mandarin, Yip in Cantonese). In these regions, the name commonly denotes associations with leafy plants or harmonious living, as the character 葉 itself means "leaf" or "foliage" in Chinese. Variations in spelling, such as Yip and Yapp, are common due to differences in dialects and Romanization methods.

One of the earliest known records of the name Yeap can be found in the genealogical manuscripts of the Ming Dynasty, where members of the Yeap family are documented as landowners and scholars. For instance, Yeap Ming-de was a well-known scholar and scribe in the late 15th century, contributing to local historical records.

The Yeap surname also appears in late 19th-century immigration records as many Chinese individuals migrated to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Singapore, seeking better opportunities. During this time, Yeap Cheng-Kee, born in 1824, migrated to Malacca and became a prominent merchant and community leader, contributing significantly to the local economy and Chinese diaspora.

Another notable figure bearing the surname is Yeap Chor Ee, born in 1867 in Fujian province, who migrated to Penang, Malaysia. He started as a penniless barber and eventually became one of the wealthiest men in Penang, founding the Ban Hin Lee Bank and engaging in numerous philanthropic activities. His contributions to education and healthcare have left an enduring legacy.

Yeap Ghim Guan, born in 1889, was another prominent individual in Singapore. He was known for his active role in the community, particularly in the establishment of local schools and support for cultural activities. His efforts in promoting education greatly benefited generations of Singaporeans.

Additionally, Yeap Thian Hoe, a mid-20th century industrialist, made significant strides in Malaysia's rubber industry. With his innovative methods and business acumen, he helped modernize production techniques, benefiting the industry at large.

The surname Yeap has therefore a rich history marked by notable contributions in various fields, including commerce, education, and community development. The legacy of the Yeap family is celebrated in many regions, reflecting their long-standing influence and contributions to society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeap

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

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

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

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