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

Yell, 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 Yell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yell in America

Yell is the 31482nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yell surname appeared 735 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 Yell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yell 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 Yell

The surname Yell has its origins in the British Isles, specifically England and Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is most prevalent in the northeast of Scotland and the north of England. The name Yell is believed to derive from the Old English word "giellan," meaning to call or shout. This etymology alludes to the possibility that the surname was originally a nickname for someone who was known for raising their voice.

In historical records, the name appears in various forms such as Yele and Yeall. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in England dates back to the 12th century, where a John Yele is mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland in 1187. This early reference indicates that the family has been established in the region for several centuries.

The name Yell also has connections to place names, particularly on the Shetland Islands where the island of Yell exists. This connection to geography may indicate that families bearing the surname either originated from or were influential in these regions.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the Yell surname. Alexander Yell, born in 1342, was a prominent figure in the Scottish Highlands and is mentioned in the historical records of the era for his involvement in regional trade. Additionally, Roger Yell, born in 1497, was a well-known merchant in the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, significantly contributing to the local economy.

In the 17th century, Richard Yell, born in 1635, was documented as a landowner and local politician in Northumberland, playing a crucial role in local governance. Moving into the 18th century, James Yell, born in 1721, served as a sea captain, navigating the treacherous waters of the North Sea and contributing to maritime exploration and trade during that period.

In more recent history, William Yell, born in 1843, became a notable figure in the field of engineering, particularly recognized for his work on railway development in Scotland during the late 19th century. His contributions significantly advanced the infrastructure of the region, and his legacy is documented in various engineering journals of the time.

Throughout its history, the Yell surname has been associated with notable figures who have contributed to their communities in varied fields such as commerce, politics, maritime exploration, and engineering. The surname's origins in the British Isles, along with its connection to both language and geography, illustrate a rich and diverse heritage spanning several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yell

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!