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

Yester, 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 Yester surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yester in America

Yester is the 84748th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yester surname appeared 221 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 Yester.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yester 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 Yester

The surname Yester has its roots in Scotland, particularly in the southeastern region known as East Lothian. The name is likely derived from the place called Yester, near the town of Gifford. The earliest records of the name trace back to medieval Scotland, specifically around the 12th century. Yester, originally spelled Jhestr, is believed to have been derived from the old Gaelic word "eistir", meaning "a corn field" or "a stretch of arable land." The name could also be linked to the Old English "geest," which refers to a fertile, raised ground, conducive for farming.

One of the earliest references to the name appears in the royal charters of Scotland. In 1166, Hugh de Giffard was granted the lands of Yester by King William I of Scotland. These lands would become the ancestral seat of the prominent Giffard family. Historical documents such as the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which listed the names of Scottish nobility who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England, also bore the name Yester.

Among the notable early bearers of the surname is Sir Hugh de Giffard of Yester, a distinguished 13th-century nobleman who played a prominent role in Scottish politics. He was known to have possessed Yester Castle, a significant medieval fortress. Another noteworthy figure is Sir John Hay of Yester, who became the 1st Lord Hay of Yester in 1488. The Hay family is one of Scotland's oldest and most significant families, with Sir John Hay being a direct ancestor to the Marquesses of Tweeddale.

The name Yester also appears in various historical manuscripts and documents over the centuries. For instance, in the mid-17th century, John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale, born in 1625 and died in 1697, held prominent titles and responsibilities in Scottish history. Another significant figure bearing the name was Robert Hay of Yester, who served as a Scottish Parliament member in the early 18th century.

During the 19th century, the Yester name continued to appear in historical records. Alexander Yester, born in 1842, served as a notable physician in Edinburgh, contributing to the medical field with numerous published works. His commitment to advancing medical science earned him recognition in various medical journals of the time.

Today, while the Yester surname may not be as widespread, its historical significance remains deeply rooted in Scottish heritage. The family's contributions to Scottish nobility, politics, and culture are well-documented, ensuring that the Yester name endures through generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yester

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

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

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

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