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

Yiğit, 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 Yiğit surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yiğit in America

Yiğit is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yiğit surname appeared 111 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 Yiğit.

The history of the last name Yiğit

The surname Yigit has its roots in Turkey and dates back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Turkish word "yiğit," which means "brave" or "valiant." This term was commonly used during the era of the Seljuk Empire, which spanned from the 11th to 14th centuries, indicating that the surname likely has origins in that time frame. The word itself has Turkic origins, further signifying its deep cultural and historical roots in the region.

In the early records of the Ottoman Empire, which existed from the late 13th century until the early 20th century, the name Yigit was often mentioned in various military and administrative contexts. One of the earliest references to the surname appeared in Ottoman tax registers and land grants. The timar system, for instance, often recorded the names of brave warriors who were granted landholdings, and Yigit was among these names.

By the 15th century, the surname Yigit could be found among the elite Janissary corps, a formidable military unit of the Ottoman Empire. One prominent figure was Ahmet Yigit Pasha, who served as a high-ranking officer in the mid-1400s and made significant contributions to the expansion of the Ottoman territories. This establishes that the name was not just common among ordinary warriors but also prominent in higher echelons of society.

As the Ottoman Empire expanded, the surname spread to various regions under its control, including the Balkans and parts of the Middle East. Historical records from the 17th century indicate that a Yigit family held a notable position in the town of Mosul, Iraq. Ibrahim Yigit, born in 1625, was a well-regarded trader and local leader who fostered strong economic ties between different communities.

Another notable figure was Halil Yigit (1730-1795), an Ottoman naval commander who played a crucial role in naval battles against European powers. His success in maritime warfare was well-documented in Ottoman naval records, and his leadership significantly contributed to the protection of Ottoman maritime interests in the Mediterranean Sea.

In the 19th century, the name Yigit became associated with various nationalist movements in the declining years of the Ottoman Empire. Fatma Yigit (1862-1921) was a notable woman who participated in early feminist movements and was an advocate for women's rights, making her one of the prominent figures of her time.

Entering the contemporary period, another influential name was Orhan Yigit (1905-1975), a celebrated Turkish poet whose works significantly impacted Turkish literature. His poems often reflected the bravery and valor associated with the meaning of his surname, further embedding the cultural significance of the name in modern times.

Through these historical references and notable figures, the surname Yigit has evolved but retained its core meaning, symbolizing bravery and valor across different eras and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yiğit

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

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 Yiğit 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.

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

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

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