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

Yep, 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 Yep surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yep in America

Yep is the 34427th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yep surname appeared 658 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 Yep.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yep 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 Yep

The surname Yep traces its origins back to China, particularly among the Hakka community. The Hakka are a Han Chinese subgroup with ancestral roots predominantly in the Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian provinces. The name Yep is an anglicized version of the Chinese surname 葉, pronounced Yè in Mandarin and Ip or Yip in Cantonese. The character 葉 means "leaf" or "page," indicating a possible association with nature or foliage, which could symbolize growth and prosperity.

The earliest references to the surname 葉 can be found in historical records from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) in China. During this period, surnames were often derived from influential clans, royal aspirants, or geographic features. The name 葉 became prominent in regions such as Jiangxi and Guangdong in southern China, where several families held significant sway in local governance and trade. Due to the Chinese diaspora, the surname Yep spread worldwide, particularly where Hakka people immigrated, such as Southeast Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

One of the historical references to this surname is in the Zupu or genealogical records of various Chinese clans. These records often date back several centuries and provide detailed lineage and family tree information. For instance, the 葉 family genealogy in the Hakka regions of Guangdong has extensive records showing the family's influence and migration patterns.

The migration of Chinese people, particularly during the 19th century, brought the surname Yep to newer regions. One notable person with the surname Yep is Laurence Yep, an American writer born in 1948, known for his books that explore Chinese-American heritage and experiences. His most famous work, Dragonwings, published in 1975, won the Newbery Honor and reflects the deep ties and contributions of the Hakka people to American history.

Another significant figure is Yep Kwat Yuk, a pioneer in the Chinese-American community in San Francisco during the late 1800s. He was one of the early immigrants who played a crucial role in establishing the Chinese presence in California, contributing to the cultural fabric of Chinatown in San Francisco.

In the realm of sports, Yep Pui Ying, born in the 1980s, is a notable figure. As a competitive swimmer from Hong Kong, she has represented her region in numerous international competitions, bringing visibility to the name Yep in the athletics arena.

An earlier historical figure is Yep Tai Cheung, a merchant and community leader in the Guangzhou province during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). He was known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in enhancing local education and infrastructure, which earned him a place in local folklore and history books.

Lastly, in the realm of art and culture, Yep Heung Shan, an influential opera singer during the early 1900s in Guangdong, is remembered for her contributions to Cantonese opera. Her performances drew large audiences and helped preserve the traditional art form through tumultuous periods in Chinese history.

These examples illustrate the broad geographic and professional diversity of individuals bearing the surname Yep, highlighting the rich tapestry of history and culture associated with the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yep

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

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

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

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