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

Yorkey, 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 Yorkey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yorkey in America

Yorkey is the 102688th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yorkey surname appeared 175 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 Yorkey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yorkey 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 Yorkey

The surname Yorkey likely originates from England and can be traced back to medieval times. The most probable root of the name derives from the place name York, a historic city in Yorkshire. The suffix "ey" might be an old English word for "island" or "enclosure," or may have been added as a diminutive form. Variations and similar spellings in historical records include Yorkie, Yorkee, and Yorke, which indicate that the name has evolved over centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the late 13th century. In the Yorkshire Subsidy Rolls of 1297, there is a record of a John de York, which showcases the connection of the surname to the city of York. Another historical mention occurs in the 1379 Poll Tax records from Yorkshire, where a Richard Yorke appears. These records authentically link the surname to geographical origins in and around Yorkshire, England.

A notable mention of an early bearer of the name is Edward Yorkey, who lived during the 15th century. Records from the period show that he was a landowner in the North Riding of Yorkshire, highlighting the name's presence in property and land-related documents.

In the 16th century, Thomas Yorkey emerges as an interesting historical figure. Born in about 1532 in Yorkshire, England, Thomas was a merchant who played a significant role in the wool trade, contributing to the local economy. The wool trade was a vital industry during this period in England, making Thomas Yorkey’s contributions noteworthy.

By the 17th century, another individual of prominence was Mary Yorkey, born in 1624. She was involved in local charitable work in her village near York. Her efforts provided relief to many poor families during the tough years of the English Civil War.

In the early 18th century, Robert Yorkey, born in 1702, was documented as a blacksmith in York. His work as an artisan kept the tradition of skilled craftsmanship alive in the region. His tools and services were presumably in high demand during the industrial changes of the period.

Another celebrated figure is James Yorkey, an émigré from England who settled in the American colonies in the mid-18th century. Born in 1745, he established himself as a respected farmer in the state of Virginia. His descendants carried the name forward in North America, ensuring its continued legacy.

Through its etymological roots and historical references, the surname Yorkey stands as a testament to its storied past. While closely linked to the city of York and its surrounding regions, individuals bearing the name have made their mark in various fields over the centuries. This deep connection to place and profession across generations underscores the rich history and enduring nature of the surname Yorkey.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yorkey

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

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

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

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