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

Yellowhorse, 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 Yellowhorse surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yellowhorse in America

Yellowhorse is the 48160th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yellowhorse surname appeared 439 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 Yellowhorse.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yellowhorse 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 Yellowhorse

The surname Yellowhorse is of Native American origin, specifically from the tribes of the Great Plains in North America. The surname primarily originates from the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and other related tribes who inhabited the regions of present-day South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Its roots can be traced to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when surnames began to formalize among Native Americans due to interactions with European settlers and the imposition of Western naming conventions.

The name Yellowhorse is likely derived from a combination of descriptive elements inherent in the Native American tradition of naming. The color "yellow" often symbolizes various attributes such as courage, clarity, and youth within Native American culture. The horse, considered a sacred and revered animal, represents power, grace, and nobility. When combined, these elements give rise to a name that embodies respect and honor.

Historical references to the surname Yellowhorse can be scarce, as many Native American records were oral rather than written. However, the name does appear in some treaties and official documents from the 19th century, particularly those involving land agreements and tribal leaders. During this period, chiefs and warriors with notable attributes often had their names recorded by government officials.

The earliest recorded person with the surname Yellowhorse is likely Chief Yellow Horse of the Lakota Sioux, documented in the early 1800s. Known for his leadership and bravery, Chief Yellow Horse played an essential role in tribal negotiations and conflicts. Another notable figure is Paul Yellow Horse, a Lakota warrior who fought in several skirmishes during the mid-1800s and was known for his distinctive war paint and horse-eye design on his war shield.

Louis Yellowhorse, born in 1860, was a prominent Native American scout who worked with the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars. He was instrumental in navigating the difficult terrains of the Great Plains and served as a crucial intermediary between the U.S. military and various Native American tribes. His efforts were highly regarded during his lifetime.

Moving into the 20th century, Phillip Yellowhorse (1902-1971), a Cheyenne artist, gained recognition for his traditional Native American paintings and beadwork. His work was featured in numerous exhibitions and played a vital role in preserving indigenous art forms for future generations.

Another significant individual is Emma Yellowhorse, born in 1948, a noted activist for Native American rights. She has been involved in numerous campaigns advocating for the preservation of Native American lands, culture, and rights. Her activism has had a lasting impact on her community and beyond.

Lastly, Richard Yellowhorse, born in 1890 and a descendant of the earlier Yellow Horse chiefs, became a tribal historian who documented many oral histories and traditions of his people. His works have been instrumental in preserving and understanding the rich cultural heritage of the Lakota Sioux.

Through these individuals and historical mentions, the surname Yellowhorse reflects a legacy of courage, leadership, and cultural advocacy within Native American history. The name continues to hold significant cultural importance and historical weight in various Native American communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yellowhorse

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yellowhorse, 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!