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

Yorko, 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 Yorko surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yorko in America

Yorko is the 124548th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yorko surname appeared 138 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 Yorko.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yorko 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 Yorko

The surname Yorko has its origins deeply rooted in Eastern Europe, specifically within the regions that comprise modern-day Ukraine and Poland. The time period when this surname first appeared is likely in the Middle Ages, between the 13th and 15th centuries. The surname Yorko is believed to derive from the given name Yurko, which itself is a diminutive or affectionate form of the name Yuri, the Eastern Slavic form of George. The root of George can be traced back to the Greek name Georgios, meaning farmer or earthworker.

In historical records, early mentions of variants of the name Yorko can be found in church documents, land grants, and tax registers from the 15th century. It also appears in the context of localized landholdings within regions of Eastern Europe, particularly in areas influenced by the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The surname evolved as it was passed down through generations, and its spelling may have been adapted based on phonetic interpretations and regional dialects.

The name Yorko appeared in several manuscripts and records. For example, in the "Lustrum" records of Galicia from the 16th century, where it often cited citizens and landowners. An old version of the name appeared in the 1524 land deed from the Lviv region mentioning Ivan Yurko, thus highlighting the name's presence among the local nobility and significant individuals of that period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Yorko is found in a 1406 document from the Podolia region, referring to Petro Yorko, a local landowner involved in a boundary dispute. Another noted individual is Andriy Yorko, a 17th-century military leader born around 1620, who played a role in the Khmelnytsky Uprising against Polish rule. His contributions to the military activities of the period left a marked impact on the local history.

In the 18th century, the surname gained prominence through Ivan Yorko, born in 1732, who was a well-known merchant in Kyiv, known for trading various goods across regional borders. His influence in commerce played a substantial role in the local economy. Another notable figure is Mykhailo Yorko, born in 1821, who was a respected academic and contributed significantly to the study of Ukrainian folklore and literature.

Throughout history, several bearers of the surname Yorko have been instrumental in shaping their communities. Maria Yorko, born in 1856, became an accomplished painter whose works are still celebrated in Ukrainian cultural heritage. These individuals and their contributions underscore the surname's historical presence and influence across Eastern European regions.

The surname Yorko, thus, reflects a rich lineage tied to both common folk and notable figures in Eastern Europe. Its evolution over centuries showcases the interplay between local dialects, geographical history, and the socio-political narrative of the regions it hails from.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yorko

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

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

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

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