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

Yonk, 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 Yonk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yonk in America

Yonk is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yonk surname appeared 102 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 Yonk.

The history of the last name Yonk

The surname Yonk finds its origins predominantly in the Dutch-speaking regions of Europe, particularly the Netherlands and Belgium. The name itself is believed to have first emerged in the medieval period, roughly between the 12th and 15th centuries, a time during which the Low Countries experienced considerable social and economic transformation. The term Yonk is derived from the Middle Dutch or Middle Low German word "jonk," which translates to "young" or "youth." This suggests that the surname was initially used to describe a young person, possibly distinguishing them from an elder family member with a different name.

In early records, Yonk appeared variably in old manuscripts and documents related to landownership, trade, and civic duties. The name's occurrence can be traced back to old municipal records in both Flemish and Dutch cities. For example, a 14th-century tax register in Bruges mentions the name Willem Yonk, indicating that this individual held some property or had a source of taxable income. Similarly, an early 15th-century guild record in Amsterdam lists Peter Yonk as a member of the local weaver's guild, illustrating the surname's association with specific trades and social stature.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Yonk is tied to a parchment from the year 1294 in the city of Nijmegen. This document, detailing a legal dispute over land inheritance, mentions a certain Hendrick Yonk as one of the principal parties. The inclusion of Yonk in legal and financial documents of the era underscores the role surnames played in feudal and early capitalist societies for identification and record-keeping purposes.

Yonks also appear in the annals of European history as notable figures. One particularly well-documented individual is Jan Yonk, a merchant from Antwerp born in 1578 and whose commercial ventures across the Hanseatic League cities contributed to the wealth and expansion of his family’s influence. Another significant figure is Maria Yonk, a Brussels native born in 1642, known for her patronage of the arts during the Baroque period. The surname's notoriety also extends to military history, with Captain Leonhard Yonk, born in 1715 in Rotterdam, participating in various engagements during the War of the Austrian Succession.

Understanding place names associated with Yonk further enriches its historical context. The village of Yonkenburg, now a part of modern-day Belgium, reflects an old settlement area where the name was predominant. Old maps from the 16th century label this territory as “Yoncken” with variations such as Jonckens and Jonkens in different documents, signifying the fluidity and evolution of the surname over several centuries.

In conclusion, the surname Yonk, with its etymological roots in meaning "young," has traversed significant historical pathways. From tax registers and guild memberships to notable figures in commerce, arts, and the military, the history of individuals bearing this surname illustrates a lineage steeped in European medieval and early modern socio-economic landscapes.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yonk

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

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

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

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