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

Yeom, 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 Yeom surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeom in America

Yeom is the 57781st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeom surname appeared 352 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 Yeom.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yeom 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 Yeom

The surname Yeom has its origins in East Asia, particularly in Korea. It is derived from the Korean hanja characters 廉, which is pronounced "Yeom" in Korean. The surname dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), a significant period in Korean history when family names began to be formalized among the aristocratic class.

Regions where the surname Yeom primarily came into being include modern-day North and South Korea, where it carried connotations of respect and integrity. The hanja 廉 signifies "honesty" or "integrity," which were highly valued virtues in Korean society, reflecting the moral character attributed to the bearers of the name.

Historical references to the surname Yeom can be found in old Korean records, including the Gyeongguk Daejeon, a legal code compiled in the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). This document listed prominent families and officials, some of whom bore the surname Yeom. Additionally, older spellings and transcriptions, such as Yom, appear in more archaic records, particularly before the modernization of the Korean language and script in the 15th century under King Sejong the Great.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Yeom is found in the "Bon-gwan" or "Clan Register" of the Yeom family, with notable references dating back to the 12th century. One distinguished historical figure was Yeom Sang-seok (1179–1249), a general during the Goryeo Dynasty known for his military strategies and contributions to the kingdom’s defenses.

Another prominent individual with this surname is Yeom Hee-soo (1760–1815), a renowned Confucian scholar during the late Joseon Dynasty, who contributed significantly to Korean literature and philosophy. His works on Confucian ethics and Korean governance were well regarded and remain influential in academic circles.

In the field of politics, Yeom Jin-gu (1852–1910) was a notable politician and reformist who played a pivotal role during Korea’s transition from isolationism to a more modernized state in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His efforts in government reforms and modern education systems were significant during a time of rapid change.

Culturally, Yeom Cheol-kyu (b. 1935) is a celebrated contemporary poet whose works have been translated into multiple languages, sharing Korean literature with a global audience. His poetry often reflects themes of nature, love, and the human experience, resonating well beyond Korean borders.

In the realm of modern history, Yeom Kyu-jin (1904–1968) was a freedom fighter who contributed to Korea’s independence movement against Japanese colonial rule. His dedication and sacrifices are commemorated in various historical texts and memorials in South Korea.

The surname Yeom, with its rich history and diverse contributions from its bearers, reflects the honorable and dutiful characteristics that have shaped Korean history and culture over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeom

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

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

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

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