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

Yerxa, 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 Yerxa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yerxa in America

Yerxa is the 76533rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yerxa surname appeared 251 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 Yerxa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yerxa 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 Yerxa

The surname Yerxa has a fascinating and somewhat enigmatic history, with deep roots that can be traced back to Europe. The origin of the name is believed to be Celtic, emerging around the early medieval period. This surname initially appeared in the areas that are now modern-day Scotland and Northern England. The name Yerxa is thought to be derived from an older form, possibly linked to a Gaelic origin or a Norse influence due to the Viking presence in these regions.

The earliest occurrences of the surname Yerxa can be found in medieval manuscripts and tax records. One notable mention is from a 12th-century Scottish record where the name Yarchsa appeared, showing a phonetic resemblance to Yerxa. These early records often varied in spelling due to the lack of standardized language, resulting in multiple iterations of the surname such as Yerks and Yarksa throughout the years.

One of the notable individuals bearing this surname was Eoghan Yerxa, a chieftain known from the early 13th century. Eoghan's prominence is documented in Scottish clan histories, specifically around the Highlands, where he played a significant role in local governance and defense against Norse incursions. Born around 1180 and dying in 1250, Eoghan's leadership and exploits brought the name into more formal records.

Another historical figure is Alistair Yerxa, whose name appears in land grant records from the mid-14th century. Alistair, born in 1320 and passing in 1385, was a landowner in Northern England, specifically in Northumbria. His holdings and dealings recorded in county rolls show the spread of the surname beyond Scotland during a period of relative stability post-Viking invasions.

In the 16th century, the name appears again with a notable bearer, Isobel Yerxa, who was part of the Scottish Reformation. Born in 1543 and dying in 1610, Isobel played a crucial role in the religious shifts of her time, showing the adaptability and persistence of those bearing the surname.

The 18th century witnessed the migration of the Yerxa family to the American colonies. Among the pioneers was Samuel Yerxa, born in 1705 and died in 1778. He settled in New Hampshire and became a founding member of his community, contributing to the development of early American settlements. Samuel's moves and contributions are well-documented in early colonial records.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Loren Yerxa, born in 1832 and passing away in 1901, became a notable industrialist during America's industrial revolution. Loren's accomplishments in the burgeoning steel industry are recorded in business directories and histories of the era.

All these figures illustrate the diverse and enduring legacy of the Yerxa surname, from its Celtic origins to its presence in both Europe and America, highlighting the rich tapestry of history and contributions behind this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yerxa

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

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

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

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