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

Yeow, 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 Yeow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeow in America

Yeow is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeow surname appeared 118 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 Yeow.

The history of the last name Yeow

The surname Yeow has its origins in East Asia, primarily found in Chinese-speaking regions such as China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. The name is particularly associated with the Hokkien and Teochew dialects of Southern Min languages. The surname can be traced back several centuries, with its earliest occurrences predominantly in Fujian province, a coastal region in southeastern China.

Yeow is derived from the Chinese character 姚, pronounced Yáo in Mandarin and Yeow in dialect. The character has historical significance, dating back to ancient Chinese dynasties. It was a noble surname during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and remained prevalent through subsequent Chinese history. The name Yáo is linked to legend and antiquity, often associated with Emperor Yao, one of the legendary Five Emperors of China, who is considered a sage king of the pre-dynastic era.

Historical records indicate the appearance of the surname in ancient manuscripts and texts. During the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), a notable figure was Yao Chong (650–721 AD), a prominent chancellor known for his governance and reforms. Historical documents and family genealogies from various dynasties also reflect the surname's prevalence among scholars, officials, and nobility.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname in overseas Chinese communities can be traced back to the migration waves during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. Following civil unrest and economic opportunities abroad, many Chinese, including those with the surname Yeow, ventured to Southeast Asia, significantly populating regions in Malaysia and Singapore. This diaspora contributed to the spread and continued usage of the surname.

Among notable individuals with the surname Yeow throughout history is Yeow Kai Chai (b. 1964), a contemporary Singaporean poet and editor known for his contributions to Singaporean literature. Another important figure is Yeow Choon Hoon (1911–1996), a Malaysian politician who played a significant role in the early governmental structure of post-independence Malaysia. Additionally, Yao Ming (b. 1980), while predominantly recognized for bearing a similar but differently transliterated surname, Yao, represents significant global cultural influence as a basketball player from China.

Yeow's surname maintains historical ties to place names in China, such as Yaoxian in Shaanxi province, reinforcing its socio-cultural importance. Over centuries, the surname has seen various spellings in Romanized forms, including Yao, Yiao, and Yaou, reflecting regional dialects and transliteration standards.

The continued presence of the surname Yeow among Chinese communities worldwide underscores its enduring legacy. Through each historical period and migration wave, the surname has carried its cultural heritage, representing a lineage that connects modern individuals to ancient traditions and notable historical figures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeow

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

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 Yeow 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.

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

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

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