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

Yenney, 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 Yenney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yenney in America

Yenney is the 103655th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yenney surname appeared 173 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 Yenney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yenney 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 Yenney

The surname Yenney has its roots in the British Isles, with the earliest instances tracing back to medieval England. Specifically, it is believed to originate from areas such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. Like many English surnames, Yenney may have evolved from a personal name or be occupational or locational in its origin. The name likely derives from the Old English elements "Geon" or "Gene," perhaps related to an early personal name or a place of residence.

An important aspect of surnames is their variation over time. The Yenney surname has seen numerous spellings throughout history, including Yenny, Yanie, and Yenney. These variations reflect local dialects and the phonetic spellings in early records. One possible etymological connection could be to the Norse name "Gunn," meaning war, prevalent in Northern England due to Viking influences.

In historical records, the surname Yenney first appeared in documents from the 13th century. Manuscripts and parish records from the region show families bearing this name, often tied to rural and agrarian life. Notably, in the Yorkshire tax records known as the Subsidy Rolls, a Ricardus Yenie is documented around the year 1379, indicating the presence of the Yenney lineage in medieval times.

One of the earliest notable figures is Thomas Yanie, mentioned in the Court Rolls of Lancashire in the year 1440. His involvement in local disputes and land dealings provide insight into the socio-economic status of the Yenney family during this period. Another historical figure, John Yenney, is referenced in the 1550s as a yeoman in York, emphasizing the agrarian roots and sturdy, working-class background of the family.

The surname continues to appear in various forms into the Renaissance and Early Modern periods. For example, a William Yenny, born in 1603 and deceased in 1678, was documented as a wool merchant in Hampshire, indicating a shift from purely agrarian roles to more diversified occupations among the Yenney family members as England's economy evolved.

Moreover, in the 18th century, the Yenney surname found its way to administrative records in the American colonies, suggesting migration and settlement across the Atlantic. One noteworthy individual is Samuel Yenney, born in 1721, who emigrated from England to Pennsylvania in 1745 and became a key figure in the local community, involved in farming and local governance.

In the 19th century, Mary Ann Yenney, born in 1832, is noted for her philanthropic efforts and contributions to the community in Lancashire. Her work, particularly in education and welfare, left a notable mark and highlighted the evolving roles and prominence of individuals bearing the Yenney surname.

Throughout history, the Yenney surname has reflected the broader patterns of social, economic, and migratory trends. Despite its variation in spelling and regional derivatives, the name has persisted over centuries and provides a compelling glimpse into the lives and legacies of those who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yenney

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

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

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

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