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

Yerk, 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 Yerk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yerk in America

Yerk is the 64721st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yerk surname appeared 307 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 Yerk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yerk 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 Yerk

The surname Yerk originates from Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, and can be traced back to the late medieval period around the 14th and 15th centuries. Its etymology is rooted in the Old High German word "jerke," meaning "yearning" or "desire," which might have been a characteristic given name that evolved into a family surname. The name Yerk has several notable historical references, reflecting its adaptation over time.

One noteworthy instance is the appearance of a similar name in manuscripts from the Holy Roman Empire. The name Jerg, an old variant, appears in municipal records from Augsburg, Bavaria, dating back to 1410. These records document various transactions and land grants involving families bearing the name or its derivatives.

Among the earliest recorded individuals with the Yerk surname is Hans Yerk, born in 1463 and mentioned in the church registers of Saxony. His documented occupation as a stonemason illustrates the trade professions common among bearers of this surname.

During the 16th century, Johann Yerk, born in 1522, became renowned as a prominent scholar in Heidelberg. Known for his contributions to early educational reforms, Johann's work is referenced in university archives, underlining the academic lineage associated with the name.

In the 17th century, the name appears again in relation to Ludwig Yerk, a merchant from Nuremberg born in 1607. Ludwig's involvement in the regional trade networks emphasizes the economic mobility enjoyed by some of the Yerk family members.

By the 18th century, records indicate the Yerk family had begun to disperse across Europe, with a notable mention of Friedrich Yerk, born in 1715 in Frankfurt. Friedrich gained prominence as a military officer during the War of Austrian Succession, further broadening the geographical footprint of the surname.

During the early 19th century, Conrad Yerk, born in 1790, emerged as a significant figure in local politics within the Rhineland. His recorded contributions to provincial governance underline the continued influence of the Yerk family in various societal roles.

The surname Yerk, with its roots deep in Germanic history, has traveled through centuries, leaving its mark in multiple spheres of life including academia, commerce, military, and governance. The evolution of the name from "jerke" to Yerk illuminates a journey marked by adaptation and integration across regions and professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yerk

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

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

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

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