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

Yeun, 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 Yeun surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yeun in America

Yeun is the 134712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yeun surname appeared 125 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 Yeun.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yeun 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 Yeun

The surname Yeun is believed to have its origins in East Asia, particularly Korea. The name Yeun is derived from the Korean family name Yun, also spelled as Yoon or Yun, based on the Romanization of the Korean alphabet. The Korean name Yun can be traced back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) and has been borne by many notable people throughout Korean history.

In terms of etymology, the Korean surname Yun (and its variant Yeun) is often spelled with the Chinese character 尹, which means 'governor' or 'judge', indicating a position of authority. This suggests that the original bearers of this surname may have been associated with positions of governance or judiciary roles in ancient Korea.

During the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), surnames in Korea became more structured and systematic. Historical records such as the Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) include mentions of individuals with the surname Yun, highlighting the name's long-standing presence in Korean history.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name in written documents dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty with figures such as Yun Gwan (died 1111), a prominent military general. Throughout the centuries, the name has appeared in various historical texts, underscoring its enduring significance.

Notable bearers of the surname from history include Yun Bong-gil (1908–1932), a Korean independence activist who became famous for his resistance activities against Japanese colonial rule. Another significant figure is Yun Chi-ho (1865–1945), a prominent educator and politician, who contributed greatly to Korea's modernization efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Another prominent individual is Yun Hyu (1617–1680), a Confucian scholar and official during the Joseon Dynasty known for his literary works and contributions to Confucian thought in Korea. Yun Dong-ju (1917–1945) was a renowned poet whose works are celebrated for their lyrical expression and reflection on Korea's national identity during Japanese occupation.

Lastly, Yun I-sang (1917–1995) was a renowned Korean-German composer whose innovative works in contemporary classical music achieved international acclaim, further asserting the cultural impact of individuals with this surname.

Over the centuries, the surname Yeun (or Yun) has been integral to Korean heritage and history, influencing various fields such as governance, literature, and the arts. Its historical roots and the distinguished figures who bore this name underscore its rich legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yeun

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

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

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

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