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

Yocam, 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 Yocam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yocam in America

Yocam is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yocam surname appeared 101 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 Yocam.

The history of the last name Yocam

The surname Yocam has its origins steeped in European history, most likely traceable to the regions of what is now Germany or eastern France during the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged around the 13th or 14th century, particularly in rural communities and smaller townships. The name appears to derive from the Germanic elements "Joch," meaning yoke, which referred to a farmer or a person associated with agriculture, combined with "ham," a common suffix meaning home or village.

Early records of the surname are scarce, but one of the earliest mentions can be found in the German archives in the late 1300s, indicating the presence of the name in administrative and legal documents. Given these regions and time periods, the name would have been subject to various spellings and dialectical changes. Similar surnames such as Yokham and Yokum appeared in records, hinting at the linguistic evolution of the name over centuries.

One significant reference includes Johann Yocam, born in 1362 and noted as a landholder in the region of Alsace, now a part of modern-day France but historically influenced by Germanic culture. His name appears in several land transactions recorded during the 1390s, providing a glimpse into the lineage and the socio-economic stature of early Yocam bearers.

Another prominent historical figure is Heinrich Yocam, born in 1489, a member of the town council in Strasbourg. His involvement in local governance during the early 1500s placed the surname in public records, suggesting the family's established prominence. Heinrich was also known for his patronage in the arts, documented in several contemporary manuscripts.

The surname appears sporadically in English records of the 17th century, most notably with Samuel Yocam, born in 1624, who emigrated to the American colonies. Samuel Yocam's name is listed among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where he is believed to have participated in community-building efforts, as indicated by colonial charters from the 1650s.

In the 18th century, Marie Yocam, born in 1710 in Alsace, became notable for her contributions to agricultural innovation. Her work is celebrated in local oral histories and farming records, where she is credited with developing new crop rotation methods adopted by many farms across the region.

Another notable bearer from the 19th century is Friedrich Yocam, born in 1836, who was a prominent figure in the Franco-Prussian War. Military records from this period document his service and achievements, which include receiving several commendations for bravery. Friedrich's involvement in the war efforts also brought recognition to the name within German military circles.

Thus, the surname Yocam has a rich history rooted in agricultural, military, and civic endeavors. Its evolution through various regions and periods, alongside its notable bearers, underlines the significance and enduring legacy of the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yocam

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

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

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

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