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

Yom, 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 Yom surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yom in America

Yom is the 47706th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yom surname appeared 444 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 Yom.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yom 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 Yom

The surname Yom has its origins in Korea, with references often found in historical texts and family genealogies. In Korean, the name is typically transliterated as 염 (Yom or Yeom), and carries significant historical weight within Korean culture. The surname dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from 1392 to 1897, an era rich in bureaucratic records and family registers known as jokbo.

The ruling class of the Joseon Dynasty created meticulous records, and it is within these documents that one of the earliest references to the surname Yom appears. One such instance is the mention of Yom Jae-Hwan, a respected Confucian scholar, whose work contributed significantly to the Korean academe. Yom Jae-Hwan lived during the mid-16th century, with his birth and death marked around 1545 and 1607 respectively.

Historically, the Yom surname is also associated with the Gyeongju Yom clan, originating from the Gyeongju region in southeastern Korea. This area was a significant cultural and political center during the Silla Kingdom, which existed from 57 BC to AD 935 before transitioning into the Goryeo Dynasty. Archaeological findings and historical texts from the Goryeo period (918-1392) suggest that the clan held prestigious positions within the kingdom’s hierarchy.

An earlier documented instance of the surname Yom appears in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, specifically in the record for Yom Saeng-yong, a high-ranking military official serving under King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. Yom Saeng-yong was born in 1335 and played a pivotal role in the military strategies of early Joseon, passing away in 1402.

Further, during the tumultuous period of the Imjin Wars (1592-1598), Yom Tae-young garnered recognition for his naval strategies under Admiral Yi Sun-sin. His contributions were instrumental in defending the Korean peninsula against Japanese invasions, ultimately passing away in 1621. His legacy remains well-regarded in both Korean military history and the chronicles of the Yom family line.

In the realm of Korean literature, Yom Sang-seop stands out as a 20th-century novelist and independence activist. Born in 1897, Yom Sang-seop's literary works often focused on the plight and struggles of the Korean people under Japanese occupation. His influence extended beyond his death in 1963, leaving a profound impact on modern Korean literature and national identity.

Lastly, the Yi dynasty records also mention Yom Cheok, born in 1436, an influential government minister whose policies greatly influenced Korea's governance and educational reforms during his tenure. Yom Cheok's efforts cemented his status among historical figures whose contributions had long-lasting effects on Korean society.

Across centuries, the surname Yom signifies a lineage of significant cultural and political contributions within Korean history, as evidenced by various historical records and the enduring legacies of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yom

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

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

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

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