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

Yeck, 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 Yeck surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeck in America

Yeck is the 41038th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeck surname appeared 531 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 Yeck.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yeck 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 Yeck

The surname Yeck is believed to have its origins in Germany, specifically from the regions of Bavaria and Swabia. The name has been traced back to the medieval period, with initial records appearing around the 13th century. The name Yeck is thought to derive from the Middle High German word "jeke," meaning "flash" or "bright." This suggests a possible occupational origin linked to a person who worked with light or fire, such as a blacksmith or metalsmith, or possibly a nickname for someone with a radiant personality.

Historical records show that the surname Yeck first appeared in notable documents such as local land registers and tax records. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is found in the archives of Württemberg in 1275, where a Johann Yeck is mentioned as a landowner in the region. The surname has also been seen in variations such as Jeck, Jäck, and Ecke in older manuscripts, which indicate a common root with slight regional spelling differences.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Yeck have made notable contributions in their respective fields. In the 15th century, a Peter Yeck was recorded as a master craftsman in Ulm, renowned for his skill in metalworking. Another historical figure, Martin Yeck, born in 1695, was a prominent merchant in Nuremberg and played a significant role in the trade expansion during his time.

In the 18th century, Johannes Yeck (born 1730) emerged as a significant religious figure in Baden-Württemberg. He was known for his writings and efforts in the Pietist movement, which aimed to reform the Lutheran church. In the 19th century, Caroline Yeck (born 1823) gained recognition as an early advocate for women's rights and education in Bavaria, leaving behind an enduring legacy in social reform.

The surname Yeck has also been identified in the Americas as early as the 19th century when German immigrants brought it with them during waves of migration. One such individual was Klaus Yeck, born in 1801, who settled in Pennsylvania and became a well-respected community leader and farmer.

These historical records and notable individuals illustrate the rich heritage and varied contributions of those bearing the surname Yeck. The name reflects a past intertwined with craftsmanship, trade, religious reform, social advocacy, and migration, emphasizing the diverse paths this surname has traversed over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeck

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

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

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

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