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

Yeaw, 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 Yeaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeaw in America

Yeaw is the 70833rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeaw surname appeared 276 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 Yeaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yeaw 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 Yeaw

The surname Yeaw has its origins primarily in England, specifically from the medieval period. It is believed to be a variant of the name Yow or Yeo, which in turn is derived from the Old English word "ea" meaning "river" or "stream". This indicates that the surname was originally a topographical name, given to people who lived near a river or a stream.

The areas where the surname Yeaw was originally found include Devon and Cornwall in South West England. These areas are known for their distinct dialects and the preservation of certain Old English words and influences, which likely contributed to the surname’s unique spelling and pronunciation. The surname may also have evolved from similar names such as Yeoman, indicating a historical context of someone of middle rank, possibly a farmer or servant.

Historical references to the surname Yeaw or its variants can be traced back to medieval manuscripts and land records. One of the earliest known recorded instances of the name in a similar form appears in the Assize Rolls for Devon in 1249, where a Geoffrey de Yeo is mentioned. This illustrates the name's longevity and presence in public records.

Another noteworthy individual bearing a variant of the surname was Robert Yeo, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327. This document, which catalogued tax assessments, provides insight into the family’s socioeconomic status during that period.

In the 16th century, the surname continued to be documented in legal and ecclesiastical records. For example, a William Yeo is recorded in the Visitations of Cornwall in 1620, a heraldic visitation documenting the genealogy of prominent families. This suggests the name had attained a degree of recognition and respectability.

By the 19th century, the surname Yeaw had made its way to the United States. One notable individual was Joseph Potter Yeaw, born in 1830, who became a prominent figure in Rhode Island's local politics and business community. His contributions to his community highlight the endurance and adaptation of the surname outside its country of origin.

Another significant figure was George H. Yeaw, an inventor from the late 19th century, whose patents in agricultural machinery reflect the ingenuity that the family name had come to be associated with in various professional fields.

Throughout history, the Yeaw surname has demonstrated a remarkable degree of adaptation and persistence, with individuals bearing the name contributing to their communities in both England and the United States. Each historical reference provides a glimpse into the lives and contributions of those who carried the name Yeaw or its variants, painting a rich and varied tapestry of historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeaw

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

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

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

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