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

Youngbear, 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 Youngbear surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Youngbear in America

Youngbear is the 70833rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Youngbear surname appeared 276 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 Youngbear.

We can also compare 2010 data for Youngbear 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 Youngbear

The surname Youngbear primarily has its origins in Native American culture, specifically among the indigenous tribes of North America. The name is particularly prevalent among Plains tribes such as the Lakota Sioux or the Cheyenne, where the bear holds significant cultural and spiritual importance. The surname likely derives from two distinct elements: "Young," indicating youth or vigor, combined with "Bear," symbolizing strength and bravery.

While the surname Youngbear does not appear in European records as it is distinctly Native American, various historical references indicate the prominence of bear-related names among tribal leaders and warriors. The combination of "Young" with "Bear" may have been used to designate a young warrior or a distinguished clan within a tribe that held the bear as a totem animal. Early records of the surname or similar names can be found in indigenous oral histories and written documents collected by European settlers and anthropologists in the 18th and 19th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of a similar surname appears in the diaries of Lewis and Clark during their expedition (1804-1806), where they mention a young warrior named Small Bear, indicating a possible connection to the evolution of the surname Youngbear. Later, in 1832, renowned explorer and painter George Catlin documented many notable Native American figures, some bearing bear-related names, reinforcing the spiritual and social significance of the bear among these communities.

Among the earliest notable individuals with the surname Youngbear is Chief John Youngbear (circa 1820–1895), a distinguished leader of the Arapaho tribe who played a significant role during the Plains Indian Wars. His leadership and bravery in the face of relentless westward expansion by European settlers marked him as a prominent figure in Native American history.

Another significant name in history is Mary Youngbear (1868–1930), a respected healer and midwife among the Lakota community. Her contributions to traditional medicine and her role in preserving cultural practices have been documented by anthropologists and historians who sought to understand and record Native American health practices.

In the 20th century, Benjamin Youngbear (1912–1978), a Cheyenne artist known for his traditional beadwork and craftsmanship, contributed significantly to the preservation and appreciation of Native American art. His works are still studied and admired in museums and cultural centers today.

In more recent history, LaDonna Brave Bull Youngbear (born 1954), an environmental activist and member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, gained national attention for her leadership in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Her advocacy for indigenous rights and environmental justice has earned her nationwide recognition.

Lastly, Joe Youngbear (born 1947), a contemporary Native American author and storyteller, has made significant contributions to literature, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and the oral traditions of his ancestors. His works have been included in various anthologies of Native American literature and continue to inspire new generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Youngbear

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

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

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

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