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

Yelland, 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 Yelland surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yelland in America

Yelland is the 60347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yelland surname appeared 334 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 Yelland.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yelland 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 Yelland

The surname Yelland has its origins in England, specifically in the southwestern regions such as Devon and Cornwall. The name is believed to derive from Old English words, with "gēol" or "geol" meaning "yellow," and "land" meaning "land" or "estate." Hence, Yelland likely described a person who lived on or owned land characterized by yellowish soil or vegetation.

First historical references to the name appear during the medieval period. For instance, variations of the name in older records include Yeland, Yolland, and Yelande. The surname appears in various local documents and registers, reflecting its geographical origin. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Yelland dates back to the 13th century in Devon, where a Richard de Yeland is documented in 1275.

The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not directly reference the surname, but it does mention the manors and estates that could have formed the basis for the name's origin. In Devon, specifically, the place name Yelland in North Devon reflects this linkage, with records indicating residents adopting the name of their location.

John Yelland, born circa 1540, is one of the earlier documented individuals bearing this surname. He lived in Cornwall and was involved in local council matters, illustrating the name’s spread and establishment in southwestern England. Another notable individual is Thomas Yelland, born in 1620, who immigrated to New England and helped settle the American colonies, symbolizing the name's migration beyond the British Isles.

In more recent history, George Yelland (1764–1836), an esteemed English clergyman, contributed significantly to religious and community life in Devon. His documented sermons and community services highlight the family's continued prominence in local society. Similarly, Mary Yelland (1819–1892), an author and social reformer from Cornwall, played a crucial role in advocating education and women's rights in the 19th century.

Charles Yelland, another notable figure, was born in 1854 and became a renowned architect in London, designing several landmark buildings during the late Victorian era. His works remain a testament to the influence and reach of the Yelland family name well into the modern period.

Conclusively, the surname Yelland bears a rich heritage with deep ties to specific regions in England. Its evolution from place-name origins, historical appearances in medieval records, and notable bearers over the centuries exemplifies its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yelland

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

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

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

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