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

Yock, 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 Yock surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yock in America

Yock is the 66164th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yock surname appeared 299 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 Yock.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yock 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 Yock

The surname Yock has a relatively obscure origin, with its roots traced back to the British Isles, particularly England, during the medieval period. It is thought to be a variant of the surname Yoke, which is derived from the Old English word "geoc," meaning yoke, a tool for harnessing animals, usually oxen. This implies that the name may originally have been an occupational surname for someone who made or used yokes.

Historical references to this surname can be sparse, but one of the earliest mentions appears in the 13th-century tax records in England. For instance, the name Yock appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, indicating its presence in medieval England. Similar variations of the surname, such as Yocke or Yoke, also appear in various early documents, suggesting the interchangeability of these spellings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced to a John Yock, who was mentioned in a land grant in Norfolk in 1345. This suggests that the surname was established by the mid-14th century. Other notable mentions include Robert Yock, a small landowner in Yorkshire in the 15th century, whose name appears in the Yorkshire Deeds records.

Throughout history, the surname has also been associated with place names. For example, there was a small hamlet known as Yockenthwaite in the North Riding of Yorkshire, indicating potential geographic connections of the family name to specific locations within England. The suffix "thwaite" means "clearing" in Old Norse, indicating a settlement in a forested area.

A notable figure bearing the surname was Thomas Yock (1463-1530), who was a merchant in Bristol and whose dealings are recorded in the municipal archives. His contributions to trade during the early 16th century exemplify the involvement of individuals with this surname in commerce and civic life.

In the artistic realms, Edward Yock, born in 1804, was a reputable craftsman known for creating intricate cathedral woodwork, particularly in Northern England. His work in religious structures has left a lasting legacy, exemplifying the Yock name in the context of historical architecture.

Records from the 19th century mention Samuel Yock (1821-1893), a civil engineer, who played a pivotal role in the construction of railways in the Midlands. His advancements in railway engineering contributed significantly to the Industrial Revolution in England, marking another notable instance of the Yock surname in history.

Through these various instances, it is apparent that the surname Yock has a rich historical lineage, reflected in occupational, geographic, and notable contributions across different periods. Its consistent presence in historical records showcases the evolution and enduring legacy of this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yock

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

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

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

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