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

Yuk, 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 Yuk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yuk in America

Yuk is the 69170th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yuk surname appeared 284 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 Yuk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yuk 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 Yuk

The surname Yuk is believed to have its origins in East Asia, with historical roots traceable to China and Korea. In China, the surname is typically associated with the transliteration of the Chinese character 玉 (Yù), which means "jade." This surname has ancient connections, appearing in various historical records dating back to the Zhou Dynasty around 1045-256 BCE. Jade, being highly valued in Chinese culture, denotes a family associated with wealth, status, and purity.

In Korean contexts, the surname Yuk is less common than in China. It is derived from the Hanja (Chinese characters used in the Korean language) 玉, though the pronunciation and transliteration differ slightly. The surname is thought to have originated during the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392 CE), a period where the influence of Chinese culture on Korean society was particularly strong.

Historical references to the surname Yuk in Chinese records can be found in various imperial archives and family registers. One notable mention is in the Classic of Poetry (Shijing), where references to families bearing the surname Yù can be connected to nobility and scholars. The surname is also documented in the genealogical records of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Yuk in Korea is found in the Joseon Dynasty census records from the 15th century. One early notable figure is Yuk Gap, a Confucian scholar and civil servant born in the late 14th century, who significantly contributed to Korean literature and governance.

In subsequent centuries, several individuals bearing the surname Yuk gained prominence. Yuk Hui-Seung, a 17th-century Korean painter known for his detailed depictions of landscapes and daily life, represents the surname's continuing cultural legacy. In the Qing Dynasty, a notable individual was Yuk Wenhui, an official and calligrapher whose works influenced the literary circles of the 18th century.

During the 19th century, Yuk Gaoxing, a Chinese poet and scholar, emerged as an important cultural figure, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of classical Chinese literature. Another significant individual is Yuk Jun-Pyo, a Korean independence activist born in the late 19th century who played a role in the resistance against Japanese occupation.

These historical references indicate that the surname Yuk, whether originating from China or Korea, has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Figures bearing this surname have made contributions across various fields, including literature, art, governance, and political activism, reflecting the diverse and multifaceted legacy of the name.

The surname Yuk continues to hold cultural significance in East Asia, symbolizing a connection to a profound historical narrative and an enduring legacy of achievement and influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yuk

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

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

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

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