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

Yekel, 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 Yekel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yekel in America

Yekel is the 85049th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yekel surname appeared 220 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 Yekel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yekel 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 Yekel

The surname Yekel has origins that can be traced back to Eastern Europe, specifically within the regions that are now modern-day Poland and Germany. This surname likely emerged during the late Middle Ages, a period marked by significant upheaval and migration throughout Europe.

The name Yekel appears to have Yiddish roots, derived from the Yiddish name "Yakl," a diminutive of the Hebrew name "Yaakov" or Jacob. This would suggest that the surname has Jewish origins. Variations and similar spellings such as Jekel and Jakel can also be found in historical records, reflecting the fluidity of name spellings in early registries.

Historical references to the surname Yekel or its variants appear in various old records and manuscripts, many of which document Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. In the 16th century, the name Jakel was recorded in several synagogal records in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, indicative of prominent family lineages within Jewish society.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Yekel is believed to be from the early 17th century, found in municipal documents from Krakow, Poland. A notable individual from this time is Mordecai Yekel, a well-respected merchant born in 1623, who played a significant role in the local Jewish community before his death in 1694.

As for place names, the surname Yekel does not directly correlate with any specific places but is rather associated with families who moved across regions. Variations adapted incorporating local linguistic influences, which is evident in areas like Silesia where the surname Jakel was more prevalent.

Among several notable individuals with the surname Yekel throughout history, another significant person is Rabbi Hillel Yekel (1689-1751), who was known for his scholarly contributions to Jewish religious texts in Prague. His works remain influential in theological studies within Judaism.

Moving into a more modern period, David Yekel (1795-1864) made his mark as a prominent industrialist in Germany, having founded several manufacturing enterprises that contributed to the early industrialization of the region.

The surname continued to make its mark in America with Charles Yekel (1867-1932), an immigrant who became a well-known figure in the Jewish-American communities of New York City. He is remembered for his philanthropy and efforts to support new immigrants adjusting to life in the United States.

Further notable is Fanny Yekel (1891-1968), an early advocate for women's rights and education among Jewish immigrant women in the United States. Her work helped pave the way for greater gender equality within the community.

The name Yekel, though not as common today, carries a rich history that spans centuries and continents, deeply rooted in Eastern European Jewish heritage. From early records in Krakow to influential figures in America, the legacy of the Yekel surname is a testament to the enduring presence and cultural contributions of those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yekel

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

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

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

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