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

Yezek, 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 Yezek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yezek in America

Yezek is the 90113th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yezek surname appeared 205 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 Yezek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yezek 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 Yezek

The surname Yezek can trace its origins to Central Europe, particularly within the regions now known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This surname is of Slavic roots, believed to have first emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 14th or 15th century. It is derived from the older Slavic word "ježek," meaning "hedgehog." The transformation of the word into a surname may have been a descriptive nickname, indicating someone who was perceived to be prickly or defensive in demeanor, similar to the hedgehog.

Early references to surnames resembling Yezek appear sporadically in historical manuscripts and records. One of the earliest documented instances of a variant of the name can be found in a 15th-century land deed from Bohemia, which lists a certain "Jan Jeseck," possibly an early form of Yezek. Such records illuminate the geographical dispersion of the surname within the broader areas of Bohemia and Moravia, the historical lands that later formed part of the modern Czech Republic.

In the 16th century, records from the Moravian regional archives mention a Mikuláš Jizek, a landowner whose name clearly aligns with the Yezek surname's etymology. Over the following decades, the surname appears in various forms and spellings, including Jizek and Jizeck, reflecting the fluidity of medieval spellings and the linguistic variations within the region.

Notably, the surname Yezek has been borne by several distinguished individuals throughout history. One prominent figure was Václav Yezek, born in 1692, a well-regarded cleric and scholar who contributed to the religious and educational landscape of Moravia until his death in 1748. Another notable bearer was František Yezek, a 19th-century politician who played a crucial role in local governance in southern Moravia during the 1860s.

In the early 20th century, Josef Yezek, born in 1873, emerged as a significant figure in the field of literature. His poetic works, infused with themes of national identity and nature, garnered considerable respect. Josef's contributions continued until his passing in 1933, leaving a lasting impact on Czech literary history.

Anastasia Yezek, born in 1911, became a trailblazer in the sciences, specifically in the area of botany. Her pioneering research on the native flora of the Slovakian mountains earned her international acclaim, and her academic career flourished until her death in 1986. Each of these individuals highlights the diverse paths and significant achievements associated with the Yezek surname.

Through examination of historical documents and notable bearers of the name, the surname Yezek reveals its rich heritage and deep-rooted significance in Central European history. Its journey from a simple descriptor of a hedgehog to a family name associated with scholars, politicians, and scientists underscores the fascinating evolution of surnames within Slavic cultures.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yezek

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

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

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

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