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

Yerushalmi, 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 Yerushalmi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yerushalmi in America

Yerushalmi is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yerushalmi surname appeared 142 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 Yerushalmi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yerushalmi 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 Yerushalmi

The surname Yerushalmi has its origins in the Hebrew language and is intrinsically linked to the city of Jerusalem. Yerushalmi is derived from the Hebrew word "Yerushalayim," which is the Hebrew name for Jerusalem. Jerusalem has been a focal point of Jewish life, culture, and religion for thousands of years, suggesting that the surname reflects a strong connection to this historic city.

The name Yerushalmi is essentially a toponymic surname, meaning it is based on a geographic location. It is likely that this name was adopted by individuals or families who were either residents of Jerusalem or had a significant connection to the city. The use of such surnames became more prevalent during the Medieval period, especially from the 11th century onwards, as Jewish communities began to adopt fixed familial names.

Historical references to the surname Yerushalmi can be found in various Jewish texts and records. One of the earliest recorded instances appears in rabbinic literature from the 16th century, where scholars or prominent community members bearing the name are mentioned. For example, Rabbi Shlomo Yerushalmi, a distinguished Talmudic scholar from the 17th century, was known for his works on Jewish law and lived during a period when surnames were becoming more standardized within Jewish communities.

Another notable individual bearing the surname was Rabbi Moshe Yerushalmi, who was active in the 18th century. He was known for his extensive writings on religious philosophy and commentary on classical Jewish texts. His works have been referenced in various manuscripts preserved in Jewish libraries around the world, underlining his prominence.

Subsequently, the surname Yerushalmi appears in different parts of Europe as Jews migrated due to various social and economic pressures. These migrations led to the spread of the name beyond the Land of Israel, into communities within the Ottoman Empire and eventually into Eastern Europe. Yehuda Yerushalmi, born in the early 19th century, was a distinguished rabbi in the Ottoman Empire. His leadership contributed to the spiritual life of the Jewish community in Constantinople, further illustrating the dispersion and continuity of this surname.

In more recent history, Professor Hayim Yerushalmi (1909-1996) was a prominent Jewish historian who profoundly impacted the study of Jewish history through his academic work. He taught at various universities and authored several critical texts that remain influential in the field.

Another significant figure is Raphael Yerushalmi, a 20th-century Israeli scholar and author who contributed to the preservation and understanding of Jewish traditions and folklore. His research and publications helped illuminate aspects of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, adding to the legacy of those bearing the surname.

The surname Yerushalmi encapsulates a deep historical and cultural connection to Jerusalem and has been borne by notable individuals who have contributed significantly to Jewish scholarship and community life over the centuries. This rich history underscores the profound and enduring connection of those who carry the name to their heritage and the historic city of Jerusalem.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yerushalmi

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

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

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

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