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

Yook, 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 Yook surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yook in America

Yook is the 87663rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yook surname appeared 212 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 Yook.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yook 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 Yook

The surname Yook is believed to have its origins in Korea. Historically, it is derived from the Korean surname Yuk, which can be traced back to the ancient Korean kingdoms such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, around 57 BC to 668 AD. The name Yook itself is a Romanized version of the Korean Yuk, and it has various Chinese characters associated with it, which typically mean "six" (六) or "jade" (玉).

In ancient Korean texts and historical records, including the Samguk Sagi and the Goryeo-sa, references to individuals with the surname Yuk can be found. These records document the genealogy of royal families and notable persons throughout Korean history. The name appeared in these texts dating back to the Three Kingdoms period, highlighting its longstanding presence in Korean culture.

One notable historical figure with the surname Yuk was Yuk Gyeongnyeong (1338–1429), who was a high-ranking official during the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. He played a significant role in the establishment of the new dynasty, hence cementing the Yuk family’s place in Korean history. His descendants continued to contribute significantly to Korean society.

During the Joseon Dynasty, another prominent figure was Yuk Hong (1450–1517), a scholar-official who passed the state civil service examination and served in various government posts. He was known for his scholarly works and contributions to Confucian thought, elevating the Yuk family’s status among the literati.

In the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty, Yuk Jangsi (1579–1668) was a renowned military commander who defended the Korean Peninsula during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598). His valor and strategic acumen made him a celebrated hero in Korean military history.

The surname Yook continued to evolve, and by the early 20th century, Yuk Jun (1861–1915), a prominent independence activist against Japanese colonial rule, emerged. He was a key figure in the March 1st Movement and contributed to the struggle for Korean independence, leaving a lasting legacy.

The surname has seen various adaptations and transliterations over the centuries, but its origin remains deeply rooted in Korean history. Each notable bearer of the surname Yook or Yuk has left an indelible mark on Korean history, making it a name with rich cultural and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yook

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

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

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

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