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

Yıldız, 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 Yıldız surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yıldız in America

Yıldız is the 33596th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yıldız surname appeared 678 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 Yıldız.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yıldız 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 Yıldız

The surname Yildiz originates from Turkey and is of Turkish descent. The name dates back to the Ottoman Empire era, which spanned from the late 13th century to the early 20th century. Its primary root comes from the Turkish word "yıldız," meaning "star." This name is widely recognized across several Turkic languages and regions due to the influence of the Ottoman Empire.

The first known references to the surname Yildiz can be traced to historical texts and documents from the 16th century, particularly in regions within Anatolia. During this period, surnames were often descriptive and connected to personal attributes, trades, or notable characteristics of a place or person. The star, a significant symbol in many cultures, was likely adopted due to its perceived qualities of brilliance and guidance.

Early mentions include records from the 16th century Ottoman tax registers where individuals with the surname Yildiz were noted in villages around the Bursa and Istanbul regions. By the 18th century, the name had become more widespread, appearing in various provincial records.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing the surname was Ahmed Yildiz, a scholar and author from the 17th century known for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence. Born in 1623, he played a significant role in the intellectual circles of Istanbul until his death in 1691.

Another notable historical figure was Ismail Yildiz, born in 1750, who served as a prominent soldier in the Ottoman military. He gained recognition during the Russo-Turkish wars of the late 18th century and was commemorated for his strategic prowess.

Halil Yildiz, a merchant from the early 19th century, greatly influenced regional trade, particularly in the textile industry. Born in 1803 in Bursa, he expanded his business extensively across the Ottoman territories until his death in 1872.

In the early 20th century, Fatma Yildiz, born in 1890, emerged as a significant cultural figure. She was renowned for her poetry and advocacy for women’s rights within the transforming Turkish society, continuing her work until her passing in 1967.

Mehmet Yildiz, another key historical figure, was born in 1912. A political activist, he played a vital role in the Turkish War of Independence and later contributed to the establishment of the Turkish Republic's early administrative framework.

These examples highlight the diverse contributions of individuals with the surname Yildiz throughout history, reflecting its deep-rooted presence and cultural significance in Turkish society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yıldız

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

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

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

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