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

Yemma, 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 Yemma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yemma in America

Yemma is the 100302nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yemma surname appeared 180 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 Yemma.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yemma 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 Yemma

The surname Yemma has its origins in Italy, particularly from the southern regions of Sicily and Calabria. The earliest traces of this surname date back to the late Middle Ages, roughly around the 12th and 13th centuries. The name Yemma is likely derived from a Latin or possibly Arabic root, reflecting the historical influences in the region. The Latin word gemma, meaning "jewel" or "precious stone," appears to be a plausible origin, though adaptations and phonetic shifts over centuries may have shaped its current form.

In medieval records, particularly in church documents and local registers, variations like Gemma and Iemma are noted. The presence of the name in legal and land documents from regions such as Reggio Calabria and Palermo during the 14th century suggests its prominence among the local gentry and merchant classes. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name is found in a 1293 document from Palermo, referencing a certain Marcus Yemma, a local landholder involved in trade along the Mediterranean.

Historical manuscripts from the 15th century also reveal the name Yemma in connection with ecclesiastical and civic figures. Andrea Yemma, born in 1427 and recorded as a notary in the town of Messina, played a significant role in local governance and church affairs. Another notable individual is Giovanni Yemma, a scholar and scribe from Cosenza, whose works on mathematics and astronomy, dated to circa 1480, are preserved in the archives of the University of Naples.

The surname appears in various historical annals and records over the centuries. For instance, Caterina Yemma, born in 1508, was a well-known nun in a convent near Catanzaro, recognized for her charitable works and education of young women. Historical records from the early 17th century mention Francesco Yemma, a prominent legal advisor and politician in the court of Naples, born in 1582 and noted for his contributions to the legal reforms of the time.

Yemma also appears in diplomatic correspondences and travel diaries by foreign emissaries in the 18th century. Giuseppe Yemma, born in 1715 and serving as a diplomat, is referenced in letters between the courts of Spain and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, highlighting his role in negotiating trade agreements and political alliances.

Overall, the surname Yemma not only reflects the rich cultural and historical tapestry of southern Italy but also denotes a lineage associated with intellectual, religious, and political prominence over many centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yemma

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

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

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