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

Yerger, 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 Yerger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yerger in America

Yerger is the 17300th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yerger surname appeared 1,636 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Yerger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yerger 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 Yerger

The surname Yerger has its origins in Germany, where it was initially spelled as Jörger or Jergen. The name is believed to be derived from the Middle High German personal name Georg, which itself comes from the Greek name Georgios, meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker." The surname likely emerged in the High Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century, as surnames were becoming more common in Western Europe.

Geographically, the surname was most commonly found in the southwestern regions of Germany, particularly in areas such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Variations in spelling, such as Jorger, Joerger, and Yerger, were influenced by regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling practices at the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname dates back to the 14th century, where a Hans Jörger was mentioned in a land document in Bavaria in 1378. The name appeared in various records through the centuries, such as tax registers, church books, and legal documents, which helped in tracing its lineage.

A notable historical figure bearing the surname is Johann Jörger von Tollet (1603-1663), an Austrian nobleman and diplomat. He served as the Chamberlain of Emperor Ferdinand III and was highly respected in the Habsburg court. His contributions to the diplomatic efforts of the Holy Roman Empire were significant during the Thirty Years' War.

In the 18th century, Johann Georg Yerger (1702-1783) was a well-known silversmith in Munich. His works, characterized by intricate designs and high craftsmanship, are still admired and can be found in several European museums.

Heinrich Yerger (1750-1820) is another notable figure, known for his role in the agricultural development of the Rhine Valley. His innovative farming techniques and contributions to agronomy earned him recognition, and his written works on the subject were widely circulated among contemporary scholars.

The surname made its way to America through German immigrants during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. One such immigrant was Hans Peter Yerger (1688-1757), who settled in Pennsylvania. His descendants played a significant role in the development of German-American communities in the region.

In the 19th century, we find Samuel Yerger (1835-1898), a prominent lawyer and judge in Mississippi. Born to a family of German immigrants, he made substantial contributions to the legal framework of the state and was known for his integrity and fairness in the judiciary.

The surname Yerger, though relatively rare, carries a rich history rooted in German origins. It has seen various adaptations and spellings over the centuries but remains a testament to the cultural and historical journey from medieval Europe to the present day.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yerger

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

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

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

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