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

Yenger, 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 Yenger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yenger in America

Yenger is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yenger surname appeared 101 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 Yenger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yenger 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 Yenger

The surname Yenger is believed to have its origins in the region of Central Europe, specifically in the German-speaking areas during the medieval period. The earliest records suggest that its roots can be traced back to around the 12th or 13th century. The name is likely a variant of Jünger, a Middle High German word meaning "younger" or "youth." This term was commonly used to distinguish the younger of two individuals with the same name within a family or locality.

In medieval Germany, surnames began to stabilize and become hereditary during the late 12th century. Variants of Yenger, such as Junger or Jünger, are found in old manuscripts and parish records from regions like Bavaria and Saxony. The spelling variations can be attributed to the lack of standardized spelling during that time, as well as the evolution of language and dialect differences.

One of the earliest known individuals with a similar surname is Heinrich Jünger, documented in a 13th-century tax record from Bavaria. This document indicated the presence of the name within the upper classes of society, possibly related to land ownership or military service. Heinrich Jünger is noted to have been born around 1240 and active until his death in 1295.

In the following centuries, the name Yenger emerged in various records with slight variations. A significant historical reference is Johann Yenger, a merchant from Saxony, who appeared in trade documents dated 1483. His role in commerce during the late 15th century points to the spread of the surname among various professional segments of medieval society. He was born in 1455 and records indicate that he lived until 1520.

Another notable historical figure was Maria Yenger, recorded in church registers from the early 17th century in what is now modern-day Austria. Baptismal records from 1623 list her place of birth as Graz. Her inclusion in these religious documents suggests the family's integration into religious and community life during a period of significant social and political change brought about by the Thirty Years' War.

The surname also appears in the annals of Swiss history, most prominently in records from the city of Zurich. A 1717 document references Hans Yenger, a local artisan known for his silverwork. Hans was born in 1682, and his craft was held in high regard, contributing to the local economy and cultural heritage until his death in 1755. His work remains a testament to the skill and reputation of artisans bearing the Yenger name.

In the 19th century, during periods of significant emigration from Europe to the Americas, the Yenger surname crossed the Atlantic. One example is August Yenger, born in 1823 in Germany and emigrating to the United States in 1851. He settled in Ohio and became known as a respected member of his local community. August Yenger’s descendants are documented in early American records, illustrating the surname's journey and adaptation to new cultural contexts.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Yenger has undergone several transformations and geographical transitions. The historical footprint of individuals bearing this name illustrates a legacy rooted in youthful distinction, professional diversity, and transcontinental migration. From medieval Germany to early modern Austria and Switzerland, and eventually to America, the name Yenger encapsulates a rich tapestry of European history and cultural evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yenger

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

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

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

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