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

Yorston, 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 Yorston surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yorston in America

Yorston is the 135593rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yorston surname appeared 124 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 Yorston.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yorston 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 Yorston

The surname Yorston has its origins in Scotland, specifically within the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland. The name dates back to medieval times, originating from variations of place names and old Norse influences prevalent in these regions. Orkney and Shetland were heavily influenced by Norse settlers, who arrived around the 8th to 9th centuries, and this influence is evident in the place names and surnames in the area. The name Yorston is believed to be derived from the Old Norse personal name "Jorulf" combined with "tún," meaning a farm or settlement.

Yorston's earliest documented instances can be traced back to medieval records. One notable reference is found in the late 13th century, where a William de Yorston appears in the records of Caithness, indicating the name’s usage in mainland Scotland as well. The records from Orkney provide account of one Magnus Yorston, dated around 1350, who was involved in local administration, highlighting the presence of the name in key historical documents.

Several other historical figures provide rich context for the surname. For instance, George Yorston, born in 1587 and deceased in 1652, was a notable merchant in Kirkwall, Orkney. He contributed significantly to the local economy and civic developments during his lifetime. James Yorston, born in 1701 and deceased in 1765, was a prominent figure in Shetland known for his extensive work in maritime trade, reflecting the seafaring nature of the region.

Robert Yorston, born in 1794 and deceased in 1861, was a notable farmer and landowner in Orkney during the 19th century, whose agricultural practices were well-regarded. His contributions to local farming techniques were documented in agricultural journals of the time. Another significant individual is Catherine Yorston, born in 1843 and deceased in 1910, renowned for her extensive work in preserving Orkney's local folklore and traditions. Her collections of folk tales and songs were published posthumously, providing valuable insights into the cultural heritage of the islands.

The Yorston surname tells a rich history of Norse influence, maritime trade, and local culture in northern Scotland, particularly within Orkney and Shetland. Through various historical figures, the name captures a wide spectrum of contributions to local society over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yorston

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

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

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

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