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

Yellowhair, 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 Yellowhair surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yellowhair in America

Yellowhair is the 30735th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yellowhair surname appeared 758 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 Yellowhair.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yellowhair 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 Yellowhair

The surname Yellowhair traces its origins to the indigenous cultures of North America. It is particularly associated with the Native American tribes living in what is now the United States. The time period of its origin is somewhat nebulous, but it is believed to have emerged long before European contact, reflecting a descriptive lineage tied to physical appearances or characteristics valued within their tribal communities.

The areas where the name originally appeared include the Great Plains and the Southwestern United States. The name is derived from the tribal practices of assigning surnames based on prominent physical features. "Yellowhair" would have been indicative of a person with notably yellow or blonde hair, a rare trait among Native American populations likely caused by genetic variance or significant multicultural interaction.

Historical references to the name Yellowhair appear sporadically in early records of interactions between Native American tribes and European settlers. One of the earliest mentions of a person with this surname can be found in the journals of Lewis and Clark during their expedition from 1804 to 1806. An individual named Yellowhair was noted as a member of a tribal delegation that met with the explorers.

In the mid-19th century, a notable figure with the surname Yellowhair was a Lakota warrior named Chief Yellowhair (1820-1883). He was recognized for his leadership during the conflicts between Native American tribes and United States military forces, particularly during the events leading up to the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Another historical figure is Yellowhair's descendant, Thomas Yellowhair (1855-1925), who became a prominent advocate for Native American rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He worked tirelessly to improve conditions on reservations and to secure compensation for lands taken by the U.S. government.

John Yellowhair (1890-1954) served as an interpreter and cultural ambassador during the early 20th century. His efforts in translating tribal languages and customs helped to preserve critical aspects of Native American heritage during a time of rapid modernization and cultural erasure.

Mary Yellowhair (1912-1988), a renowned basketweaver from the Navajo Nation, gained fame for her intricate designs and traditional craftsmanship. Her work is celebrated in museums across the United States and continues to be a testament to the rich cultural legacy associated with the Yellowhair name.

The Yellowhair surname remains a significant cultural marker, encapsulating a unique blend of physical description and heritage that has transcended generations. As a name, it not only identifies families but also serves as a living chronicle of the unique experiences and contributions of Native Americans throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yellowhair

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

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

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

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