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

Yelen, 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 Yelen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yelen in America

Yelen is the 113791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yelen surname appeared 154 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 Yelen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yelen 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 Yelen

The surname Yelen has its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly within the regions that are today known as Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. The surname is believed to have first appeared in these areas during the medieval period, roughly around the 13th to 14th centuries. The name is thought to derive from the Old Slavic word jelen, which means "deer" or "stag". This implies that the name could have originally been a nickname for someone who was graceful or swift, much like the animal it references.

The Yelen surname appears in various historical records throughout the centuries. One of the earliest mentions is found in a Polish manuscript dated to the late 14th century, where a noble family by the name of Yelen is listed among the landowners in the region of Lesser Poland. This area, known for its dense forests and abundant wildlife, might have influenced the use of animal names in surnames. Additionally, records from Ukraine in the early 15th century document a merchant named Mikolaj Yelen who traded goods between Lviv and Kyiv, indicating the name's spread through commerce.

One notable figure carrying the surname Yelen was Kazimierz Yelen, born in 1510, who served as a court official under King Sigismund I of Poland. His administrative work is well documented in royal records, where he is credited with overseeing the construction of several key infrastructure projects in Warsaw. His contributions to the kingdom earned his family lasting recognition within Polish nobility.

By the 17th century, the surname had also appeared in Russia. Records from 1654 mention Ivan Yelen, a prominent landowner in what is now the Yaroslavi region. He was known for his large estate and significant agricultural output, which played a critical role in local economies. Ivan Yelen's family became well-established, holding land and influence for several generations.

Another historical figure is Aleksandr Yelen, a Ukrainian scholar born in 1789. He became known for his work in linguistics and was one of the first to document and analyze the Ukrainian dialects systematically. His research provided a foundation for later studies in Slavic languages.

In the 19th century, the name appears in immigration records with individuals such as Maria Yelen, born in 1823, who emigrated to the United States during the wave of European migration. She settled in Pennsylvania, where her descendants continued to carry the surname, contributing to the preservation of their Eastern European heritage.

Overall, the surname Yelen has a rich history rooted in Eastern Europe, with early references to both noble and common families. The name's derivation from the word for "deer" suggests qualities of agility and beauty, traits that were likely admired and respected. Over centuries, bearers of this surname played significant roles in various regions, contributing to culture, economy, and scholarship. The enduring legacy of the Yelen name reflects the historical movements and influences in Poland, Ukraine, and Russia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yelen

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

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

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

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