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

Younkers, 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 Younkers surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Younkers in America

Younkers is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Younkers surname appeared 142 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 Younkers.

We can also compare 2010 data for Younkers 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 Younkers

The surname Younkers has its origins in Germany, deriving from the Middle Low German word "Junker," which was commonly used in the medieval period. The term "Junker" has dual meanings: it referred to a young nobleman or squire, and it was also a designation for a young man of rank or wealth. Given its association with nobility and the ruling class, the use of the term dates back to the feudal system in medieval Germany, particularly around the 13th and 14th centuries.

Younkers is an Anglicized variant of the German surname Junker. Linguistic adaptations over time created various spellings, influenced by regional dialects and the integration of the surname into English-speaking countries. The areas where the surname Junker was originally prevalent included regions such as Prussia, Saxony, and other parts of the Holy Roman Empire.

Historical references to the surname appear in various medieval documents and charters. One significant record is the mention of Eberhardus Junker in a 1353 Brochura Manuscript from the Rhineland. In the 15th century, the name appears in the form of Junkher, with Johann Junkher documented as a notable landowner in 1475 in the Duchy of Mecklenburg.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname Younkers in English-speaking territories date back to the 18th century, during periods of significant German immigration to the United States. One such individual was Wilhelm Younkers, born in 1725, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1748. His presence is noted in the property and tax records of Lancaster County.

One prominent figure bearing the surname was Heinrich Younkers (1789-1856), a German-American who became a key community leader in early 19th century Ohio. His contributions include the establishment of schools and churches in his local area.

In 1846, Clara Younkers, another significant individual, was born into a pioneering family in Nebraska. She became renowned for her efforts in women's rights and educational reforms during the late 19th century, significantly impacting the social dynamics of her community.

Another notable figure, Frank Younkers (1865-1913), was a celebrated architect whose designs left a lasting legacy in several Midwestern cities. His works include significant public buildings and private residences that are now considered historical landmarks.

Finally, the name appears in military history with Captain Martin Younkers (1891-1918), who served with distinction during World War I. His valor and strategic prowess were recognized posthumously with several military honors.

The evolution of the surname Younkers reflects a blend of noble origins and societal contributions, with its bearers making their mark in various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Younkers

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

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

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

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