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

Yokem, 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 Yokem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yokem in America

Yokem is the 123064th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yokem surname appeared 140 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 Yokem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yokem 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 Yokem

The surname Yokem originates from England and can be traced back to at least the medieval period. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English words "geoc" meaning "yoke" and "ham" meaning "homestead" or "hamlet." This suggests that the original bearer of the surname might have lived in a place associated with yokes, typically used in agriculture, or perhaps in a village known for its farming activities.

One of the earliest recordings of a name similar to Yokem appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where variations such as Jocem and Jocum can be found. These early mentions often indicated a person's occupation or the geographical features of their place of residence. Over time, spellings evolved, reflecting changes in language and regional dialects.

Historical references show the name Yokem in various legal documents and parish records. For example, the 1296 Subsidy Rolls of Sussex mention a Richard Jocem. In the mid-15th century, a William Yokem is recorded in the York Minster's Sacred Archives, indicating clerical or scholarly ties.

The Yokem surname appears in historical records across England, particularly in counties known for agricultural practices. For instance, John Yokem, born in 1542, can be traced to farming records in Somerset. His son, Edward Yokem, born in 1570, continued the agricultural tradition, suggesting that the family maintained their connection to farming through generations.

In 1624, there is an entry of a Thomas Yokem in the estate records of Cornwall. This Thomas Yokem is noted for his involvement in local governance, providing a glimpse into the expanding roles of individuals with this surname beyond agriculture.

By the 18th century, the name Yokem can be found in colonial American records, following English emigration patterns. Notably, James Yokem, born in 1752, is documented in Virginia tax records of 1787, showing the geographical spread and social mobility of the family line.

Among the notable Yokems, Andrew Yokem, born in 1814 and died in 1878, was an influential figure during the 19th century, known for his contributions to local politics and community development in Massachusetts. His legacy emphasizes the diverse roles members of the Yokem family have played throughout history.

The historical trajectory of the Yokem surname illustrates a rich narrative of agricultural roots, societal roles, and geographical movement, highlighting how a name can encapsulate centuries of tradition and change.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yokem

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

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

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

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