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

Yoak, 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 Yoak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoak in America

Yoak is the 42163rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoak surname appeared 515 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 Yoak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoak 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 Yoak

The surname Yoak traces its origins to Britain, with historical roots deeply embedded in the Old English language. The name likely originated in regions of England where localized dialects exerted significant influence on the spelling and pronunciation of surnames. Variations of the name such as Yoke, Yock, and Yoak suggest a phonetic evolution over centuries. The surname could derive from the Old English word "geoc," meaning yoke, which refers to a wooden beam used to couple oxen or beasts of burden. This etymology hints at a possible occupational origin, indicating a person who manufactured yokes or was involved in agriculture.

The name Yoak appears in various historical records and documents, though less frequently than more common surnames. In the Domesday Book of 1086, similar surnames such as Ioch and Yock are listed, indicating the name has been present in England since at least the 11th century. These early records provide valuable insight into the dispersion and usage of the surname, underscoring its antiquity and significance in medieval society.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Yoak dates back to the 14th century, with a John Yoak appearing in church registers in Yorkshire around 1350. This indicates the name's establishment in Northern England, particularly in rural communities where agriculture played a pivotal role. Records from parish rolls and local documents through the 15th and 16th centuries also mention similar spellings in areas such as Lancashire and Cumbria.

The Yoak family name endured through the centuries, with notable individuals periodically emerging in the annals of British history. One such figure is Thomas Yoak, recorded in Wiltshire's parish records in 1572. By the 17th century, the name began to appear in colonial records in North America, brought over by English settlers. William Yoak, born in 1623 and one of the early settlers in Virginia, exemplifies how the surname crossed the Atlantic and established roots in the New World.

Sir Richard Yoak, an 18th-century British naval officer born in 1728, gained prominence for his service during the Seven Years' War. His contributions to the British naval efforts are chronicled in naval dispatches and accounts from the period. Another significant figure, Martha Yoak, born in 1795, was a noted suffragist and social reformer in London, actively participating in movements advocating for women's rights in the 19th century.

In the 19th century, the surname continued to evolve and spread geographically, appearing in various registries and official documents across Britain and America. Dr. Henry Yoak, born in 1835, was a notable physician and academic in Scotland, contributing extensively to medical literature of the period. His works and findings are frequently cited in 19th-century medical journals.

The surname Yoak, though not as common as some others, represents a rich tapestry of history and cultural evolution. Its roots in Old English agricultural terminology, coupled with its enduring historical presence, reflect its sustained relevance in both England and abroad. The Yoak family legacy, marked by notable individuals across various fields, paints a vivid picture of a name deeply interwoven with the historical and social fabric of its times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoak

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

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

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

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