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

Yerigan, 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 Yerigan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yerigan in America

Yerigan is the 130610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yerigan surname appeared 130 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 Yerigan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yerigan 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 Yerigan

The surname Yerigan is thought to have its origins in Ireland, dating back to the medieval period. The name likely derives from the Gaelic "Ó hEireamhóin," which means "descendant of Eireamhón." Eireamhón was a significant figure in Irish mythology, considered to be one of the leaders of the Milesians who invaded Ireland. The surname could also be linked to the Gaelic word "oirear," which translates to "coast," indicating that the initial bearers of the name may have resided by the coastlines of Ireland.

The surname Yerigan appears prominently in historical records from the 12th and 13th centuries. It is seen in various old manuscripts such as the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The name is also found in documents related to the Norman invasion of Ireland, which further solidified its presence in the historical annals of the country.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Yerigan dates back to 1216 when a certain Conor Yerigan is mentioned in the records of the Connacht Province, specifically in the region now known as County Galway. This suggests that the name was established in the western parts of Ireland during the early 13th century.

A significant historical figure bearing the surname is Turlough Yerigan, born circa 1275 and documented as a minor chieftain in County Clare. He is noted in the "Book of Invasions" and is said to have participated in several local skirmishes defending his clan's territory. His influence in the region was recorded until his death in 1337, making him an important figure in understanding the spread and prominence of the name.

In subsequent centuries, the name underwent various alterations in spelling due to changes in language and dialects. Variants such as Eirigan and Errigan appeared in documents, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries. This period was characterized by significant upheaval and migration, spreading the surname to different parts of Ireland and beyond.

By the 18th century, records indicate several individuals with the surname Yerigan migrating to the Americas. One notable example is Patrick Yerigan, born in 1701, who is documented as one of the early Irish settlers in Pennsylvania. His descendants played a role in the early development of the Pennsylvanian county, contributing to local society and economy.

In the 19th century, another distinguished individual was James Yerigan, born 1823, who became a well-known figure in the Irish literary circles. He authored several works in Gaelic, highlighting the cultural and historical narratives of Ireland. His contributions to preserving the Gaelic language earned him recognition, and his manuscripts are still studied by scholars today.

Mary Yerigan, born in 1865, became prominent for her work in the nursing field during the Irish famine of the late 19th century. Her humanitarian efforts were documented in various medical journals of the time, showcasing her dedication and service to the impoverished communities in Ireland.

The name Yerigan thus carries a rich legacy connecting it to pivotal moments in Irish history, mythology, and migration patterns. With varied spellings across different time periods, it reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of surnames as influenced by socio-political and linguistic factors.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yerigan

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

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

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

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