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

Yewell, 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 Yewell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yewell in America

Yewell is the 79598th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yewell surname appeared 239 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 Yewell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yewell 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 Yewell

The surname Yewell likely originates from England and its roots can be traced back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have developed as a locational surname, derived from a place name, possibly related to "yew", a type of tree that was significant in ancient and medieval English culture.

The first known appearances of the name Yewell in historical records are not extensively documented, but it is linked to areas where yew trees were notably prevalent. The Old English word "iw" or "eow" referred to the yew tree, which was often considered sacred and used for making longbows and in spiritual rituals. This tree was commonly associated with places of ancient worship and burial grounds.

One of the earliest recorded instances of a similar name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where variations like Ewelle and Ewela are documented. Although these names are not directly linked to Yewell, they indicate the evolving forms of surnames derived from locations or descriptive terms associated with natural features.

Thomas Yewell is among the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname around the early 16th century in England. His name appears in various legal documents, indicating land ownership and transactions in counties where yew trees were prevalent.

Edward Yewell (1592 - 1645), a notable figure in the early 17th century, served as a local magistrate and is referenced in several parish records in southern England. His contributions to the local governance and community affairs were well documented, and his family continued to reside in the area for several generations.

Ann Yewell (1664 - 1720) is another significant figure, known for her charitable contributions to the church and community in her hometown. Records from the period show her active involvement in supporting local charitable causes and her prominent status within the society.

John Yewell (1733 - 1798), a merchant and entrepreneur in the late 18th century, expanded the family's influence through trade and commerce. Historical business records show his extensive trade networks and contributions to the economic growth of his region.

Mary Yewell (1761 - 1823), recognized for her work in education and women's rights in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, made significant strides in advocating for educational reforms. Her legacy includes founding local schools and promoting higher education for women, as reflected in numerous contemporary writings.

Richard Yewell (1804 - 1851), an agriculturalist and innovator in the early 19th century, is known for his advancements in farming techniques. His contributions are documented in agricultural journals of the time, highlighting his role in improving crop yields and sustainability practices.

The surname Yewell, with its rich history rooted in the English landscape and its evolving forms, reflects a legacy intertwined with the natural world, community leadership, and significant contributions to society over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yewell

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

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

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

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