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

Years, 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 Years surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Years in America

Years is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Years surname appeared 106 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 Years.

The history of the last name Years

The surname Years appears to have its origins in the Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It is believed to have first emerged during the Early Middle Ages, roughly around the 11th or 12th century. The name is thought to have originated from the Old English word "gēar," which means "year." The name likely began as a nickname for someone who was associated with a significant year or date in history, or who was considered long-lived.

One of the earliest records of the surname Years can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a variation of the name was recorded as Yeres. This ancient manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a glimpse into early Medieval England and offers valuable evidence of the name's existence. The presence of the name in the Domesday Book indicates that it may have been associated with land ownership or other notable societal positions during that era.

The name Years also appears in various medieval tax records and land charters. For instance, in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, a John Yeres was listed in Yorkshire, suggesting the name had established itself in northern England by the early 14th century. These records highlight how the name spread and the diverse regions it reached over the centuries.

In the 15th century, a notable bearer of the surname was William Years, born in 1432 and expired in 1498. He was a landowner in Norfolk, and records of his land transactions have been preserved in local archives. His contributions to local society further cemented the presence of the name in England during the late Middle Ages.

By the 17th century, the Years name had crossed the Atlantic Ocean with some of England’s early colonists. Robert Years, born in 1623, is among the earliest known bearers of the surname to settle in Virginia, America, in 1650. His descendants played significant roles in the development of that colony, demonstrating the durability and spread of the surname beyond its original homeland.

In the 18th century, the surname appears in the context of academia and clergy. Reverend Thomas Years (1681-1747) was a well-regarded clergyman and scholar in London. His extensive writings and sermons were influential during his time, and several manuscripts bearing his name have been preserved in the British Library.

During the 19th century, the surname became more common in literary circles. Matilda Years (1824-1887) was an English novelist known for her poignant and perceptive depiction of Victorian society. Her works contributed to the cultural landscape of the period, and she remains a celebrated figure in the annals of English literature.

By tracing the surname Years through various historical periods and notable individuals, it is evident that the name has a rich and varied history. From its Anglo-Saxon roots to its emergence across continents, the surname has been borne by many individuals who left their mark on history in various ways.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Years

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

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 Years 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.

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

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

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