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

Yule, 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 Yule surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yule in America

Yule is the 24838th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yule surname appeared 1,002 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 Yule.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yule 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 Yule

The surname Yule has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "geol" or the Old Norse "jol," both of which refer to the midwinter festival known as Yule or Christmas. This indicates that the name was likely given to families who held significant roles or had associations with the midwinter festivals.

The surname Yule can be traced back to the areas of Aberdeenshire and Fifeshire in Scotland. Early references to the name Yule appear in various historical records. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a Walter Yule of Linlithgow pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Historical documents show variations of the surname, such as Youle and Youll, indicating the fluid nature of spelling in medieval times. In 1509, a William Yule is recorded in the Privy Council Register of Scotland, highlighting the establishment of the Yule family within Scottish society by the early 16th century.

The Yule surname also appears in connection with land ownership and management in Scotland. John Yule, born in 1812, is a notable figure, remembered for his contributions to botany as a well-respected botanist in Edinburgh. His works were foundational in the field, increasing the name's prominence in academic circles.

Another significant historical figure is Henry Yule, born in 1820 and deceased in 1889. He was a distinguished Scottish Orientalist and geographer who co-authored the celebrated "Hobson-Jobson" dictionary, a lexicon of Anglo-Indian words and terms, cementing his legacy within linguistic and colonial studies.

By the 19th century, the surname Yule had spread beyond Scotland, partly due to the movement of people during the Industrial Revolution. Charles Yule, an influential figure born in 1842, became known in the field of engineering in Australia, contributing to various public works and infrastructural projects.

In the realm of literature, George Yule, born in 1872, left his mark as a well-regarded author and teacher. His writings expanded the use of the name into the cultural and educational landscapes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Throughout history, the surname Yule embodies a rich tapestry of cultural, academic, and societal contributions, deeply rooted in its Scottish origins and extending its influence through notable individuals across various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yule

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

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

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

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