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

Younkin, 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 Younkin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Younkin in America

Younkin is the 17268th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Younkin surname appeared 1,640 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Younkin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Younkin 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 Younkin

The surname Younkin has its origins in Germany, specifically from the region known as the Palatinate (Pfalz) in southwestern Germany. This area, known historically for its role in the mass immigration waves during the 17th and 18th centuries, was a melting pot of cultures and languages. The name Younkin is believed to be an Anglicized version of the original German surname Juncken or Junghen. These early forms are derived from the Middle High German word "jung," meaning young. The "kin" suffix is a diminutive, effectively translating to "young one" or "little young one."

The earliest historical references to the name Juncken appear in 16th-century church records in the Palatinate region. These records indicate families bearing this name were involved in farming and trades. Over time, as these families emigrated to America, the name underwent phonetic changes and simplifications, resulting in various spellings including Younkin, Younken, and Jonken.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the Anglicized surname Younkin in America is of Peter Younkin, born in 1722, who emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania. His son, Adam Younkin, born in 1754, continued the family's lineage in the New World, further solidifying the surname in American history.

By the 19th century, the Younkin family name had established itself primarily in Pennsylvania and spread to neighboring states. An example of this spread is John Younkin, born in 1830, who was a noted farmer and Civil War veteran from Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His contributions to local agriculture and his Civil War service record cement the Younkin name in regional history.

In expanding their influence beyond agriculture, members of the Younkin family also entered various professions. Henry Younkin, born in 1860, was a prominent figure in the local government of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, contributing significantly to regional political affairs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Another notable individual with this surname is Louise Younkin, born in 1895, an educator and suffragette from Ohio who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. Her activism earned her recognition at both the state and national levels, leaving a lasting legacy in gender equality efforts.

In the realm of innovation and industry, Samuel Younkin, born in 1932, was an influential engineer who worked on early computer technologies in the mid-20th century. His contributions to computer hardware development have been acknowledged by numerous professional organizations, highlighting the diverse arenas in which the Younkin name has made an impact.

Overall, the surname Younkin encapsulates a rich history of cultural adaptation and significant contributions to society, spanning across continents and centuries. From its Germanic roots in the Palatinate to its prominence in American history, the Younkin family name continues to be associated with resilience, adaptability, and achievement.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Younkin

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

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

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

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