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

Yerke, 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 Yerke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yerke in America

Yerke is the 53913th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yerke surname appeared 383 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 Yerke.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yerke 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 Yerke

The surname Yerke originates from England, with its roots tracing back to the early 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "eorc," meaning a stubborn or obstinate person. This nickname likely originated as a way to describe someone with a strong-willed or unyielding personality.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name appeared as "Yerke" and "Yerky" in various medieval records and documents. One of the earliest known references can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated around 1273, where it is listed as "Robert le Yerke."

Over the centuries, the surname underwent several spelling variations, including Yerke, Yerkey, Yerkie, and Yirke. These variations were common due to the inconsistent nature of record-keeping and spelling conventions during those times.

The Yerke surname has been linked to various locations in England, particularly in the counties of Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. Some of these place names include Yarkhill in Herefordshire and Yarkehill in Wiltshire, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname.

Notable individuals bearing the Yerke surname throughout history include:

1. William Yerke (c. 1550 - 1620), an English merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire.
2. John Yerke (c. 1610 - 1685), a renowned clockmaker from Wiltshire, known for his intricate timepiece designs.
3. Elizabeth Yerke (c. 1670 - 1745), an influential Quaker preacher and writer from Oxfordshire.
4. Thomas Yerke (1725 - 1799), a prominent English botanist and horticulturist from Gloucestershire.
5. Mary Yerke (1810 - 1892), a respected educator and advocate for women's rights in London.

While the Yerke surname may not be as widespread as some others, it has left an indelible mark on various aspects of English history, from trade and craftsmanship to religious movements and scientific pursuits.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yerke

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

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

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

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