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

Yoakem, 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 Yoakem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoakem in America

Yoakem is the 97671st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoakem surname appeared 186 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 Yoakem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoakem 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 Yoakem

The surname Yoakem has its origins in the Anglicized versions of European names. It likely evolved from the German or Dutch surname Joachim, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yehoiachin or Yehoyakim, meaning "raised by God" or "God will establish." The use of this name can be traced back to biblical times, specifically referring to Jewish figures like King Jehoiachin of Judah.

This surname first appeared in records during the medieval period in German-speaking regions. Historical references include appearances in baptismal records and marriage certificates from the 15th century onwards, indicating its prevalence in the Rhineland area of Germany and parts of the Netherlands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is Hans Joachim, a merchant from Hamburg born in 1432, who is noted in trading records of the Hanseatic League—a historical commercial alliance of merchants and towns in Northern Europe. His surname later appeared as Yoakem in English translations of these documents.

Another significant historical reference comes from the 17th century door-to-door church tax registers in the Rhine region, which mention a Ludvig Yoakem born in 1643. His records indicate he was a blacksmith in Cologne and played a role in local community affairs.

In the 18th century, the name Yoakem appeared in American colonial records. Joseph Yoakem, born 1721 in Pennsylvania, is noted for his service in the American Revolutionary War. His descendants settled in various parts of the burgeoning United States, contributing to the Westward Expansion.

The name also appears in the context of 19th-century American politics. Thomas Yoakem, born 1794, served as a state legislator in Ohio during the early 1800s, noted for his advocacy for agricultural reforms and infrastructural development in the post-Revolutionary America.

Finally, the surname is associated with Benjamin Yoakem, an influential figure in American manufacturing during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1867, Benjamin established several successful companies in the burgeoning steel industry, leaving a lasting urban legacy in cities like Pittsburgh.

Thus, the surname Yoakem carries with it a multi-faceted history that spans continents and centuries, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultural and historical influences. Its evolution from Joachim to Yoakem demonstrates the dynamic nature of surnames and their ability to adapt and endure through time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoakem

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

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

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

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