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

Yosief, 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 Yosief surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yosief in America

Yosief is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yosief surname appeared 131 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 Yosief.

The history of the last name Yosief

The surname Yosief has its origins in Eritrea, a country in the Horn of Africa. The name is deeply rooted in the Tigre and Tigrinya ethnic groups, which are predominant in Eritrea. The name likely emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th to 15th centuries, when the regions in and around present-day Eritrea experienced a blending of cultures and languages due to trade and migration.

Yosief is derived from the given name Yosef, which in turn is the Hebrew form of Joseph. The Tigrinya and Tigre languages assimilated this name through interactions with Semitic languages spoken in the region. Historical documents do not provide an exact first appearance of the surname, but records from the 16th century show the proliferation of Semitic-influenced names, including variations of Yosef.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname appears in the 17th century manuscript, "Acts of the Martyrs of Eritrea," which mentions an individual named Dawit Yosief, a notable figure who resisted Ottoman incursions in the region. The manuscript documents events between 1620 and 1650, indicating that the surname was well established by that time.

Another historical reference is found in a land document from the early 18th century, which lists Gebre Yosief as a landowner in the highlands of Eritrea. This document, dated to 1712, not only highlights the prevalence of the surname but also its association with landholding and notable status.

In the 19th century, figures such as Meron Yosief emerged during the anti-colonial movements against Italian rule. Meron Yosief, born in 1878 and deceased in 1951, played a significant role in mobilizing local communities and was recognized as a leader in the resistance efforts of the early 20th century.

Another notable individual with the surname is Solomon Yosief, born in 1924 and deceased in 1989, who served as an ambassador for Eritrea during the post-World War II era. Solomon's diplomatic efforts were crucial in garnering international support for Eritrean independence.

In the realm of academia, Sara Yosief, born in 1952, contributed extensively to the study of Eritrean history and culture. Her publications throughout the latter half of the 20th century are considered seminal works in East African studies, reflecting the intellectual legacy associated with the Yosief surname.

These historical references and individuals illustrate the rich and diverse history of the surname Yosief, from its roots in medieval Eritrea to its significant presence in various aspects of the country's historical narrative.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yosief

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

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

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

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