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

Yoc, 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 Yoc surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoc in America

Yoc is the 61123rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoc surname appeared 329 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 Yoc.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoc 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 Yoc

The surname Yoc is believed to have originated from the regions of Western Europe, specifically within the historical territories of what is now Germany and the Netherlands. The name’s earliest instances appear around the late medieval period, suggesting its roots could trace back to the 12th or 13th century. The regions where the surname initially appeared were inhabited by Germanic tribes, whose languages heavily influenced surnames of the period.

Yoc is likely derived from older Germanic words or names. One strong possibility is a derivation from the Old High German word joc, which roughly translates to yoke, a reference to a wooden beam used to pair oxen. This occupational origin suggests that the surname may have initially been granted to people who worked with yokes or animals in agricultural settings. Similar spellings in early records include Jock and Yock, pointing to variations in regional and linguistic influences over time.

Historical references to the Yoc surname are relatively sparse, but one of the earliest mentions is in a feudal document from the late 14th century in the Rhineland, a region under the Holy Roman Empire’s control. This document recorded the existence of one Heinrich Yoch, a farmer and landholder, around 1387. Such records highlight the agrarian roots of the name, emphasizing its link with farming communities.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in the tax records of Amsterdam, identifying a Pieter Yoc, born in 1523 and known for his involvement in local trade and commerce. This indicates a shift where members of the Yoc family began diversifying their professions beyond farming.

During the early 17th century, another notable individual with the surname was Hans Yoch, who became known for his work as a cartographer. Born in 1599, Hans Yoch contributed to mapmaking efforts that aided regional expansion and navigation. His work signifies the movement of the Yoc family into more scholarly and artisan professions.

Another prominent figure is Johan Yoc, a Lutheran minister in mid-17th century Hamburg. He was born in 1627 and known for his religious writings and sermons, reflecting the broader socio-political engagement of those bearing the Yoc name during the Reformation.

Moving into the 18th century, Wilhelm Yoc, born in 1751, gained recognition as a merchant and shipowner in the Hanseatic city of Bremen. His efforts in maritime trade underscored the continuing evolution of the surname’s association with various professional realms.

The surname Yoc has demonstrated enduring legacy through various centuries, evolving from agricultural origins to participation in trade, religious, and scholarly fields. This rich historical tapestry highlights the versatility and adaptability of the individuals carrying this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoc

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

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

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

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