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

Yeater, 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 Yeater surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeater in America

Yeater is the 17249th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeater surname appeared 1,642 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Yeater.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yeater 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 Yeater

The surname Yeater is of English origin, dating back to medieval times. Originating in England, specifically in regions such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, the name has its roots in the Old English word "geat" or "geotan," which means "to pour" or "to discharge." The surname likely referred to people living near or working with such water features or perhaps those who were gatekeepers or keepers of channels where water was controlled. Similar to many occupational and locational surnames, Yeater likely arose from the descriptiveness of the bearer’s occupation or habitation.

Historical references underscore the antiquity of the Yeater surname, with instances of similar names appearing in medieval manuscripts and records. For example, in the 13th century, the "Lay Subsidy Rolls," a tax record of the time, lists a Geoffrey Yator, showing an early version of the name. This points to the spread and slight variations in the surname over the years.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname in more recognizable form is that of John Yeater, who appeared in documents pertaining to land grants in the Lancashire region around 1500. Such references indicate that the name was also connected to land ownership and usage, very common for surnames that have their origins in notable occupations or topographical features.

Through the 17th and 18th centuries, the Yeater surname continued to be documented in various civic records. For instance, Thomas Yeater, born in Yorkshire in 1623, was mentioned in parish records as a prominent landowner. His life saw the surname firmly associated with land and property in the Yorkshire areas during that period.

Moving forward into more modern history, one notable figure was Peter Yeater, born in 1745, who emigrated to the American colonies and settled in Virginia. His descendants played roles in the colonial development and agricultural expansion of the region. Documentation of Peter Yeater and his family appears in colonial records, emphasizing the surname’s geographical spread outside England during the period of emigration to the New World.

Adding to the historical context is Hannah Yeater, born in 1812 in Lancashire, who became well-known locally for her work in textile production, a booming industry at the time. Her records in local trade directories highlight the progressive involvement of individuals with the Yeater surname in various professional fields as the industry evolved.

In summary, the Yeater surname has a deep-rooted history primarily in England, with significant connections to locations and occupations related to water and land. It is a surname that has evolved through centuries, marked by various significant individuals who have carried it through different parts of the world, most notably to the Americas. The name continues to be a marker of its historical landscape and occupational heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeater

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

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

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

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