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

Yunez, 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 Yunez surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yunez in America

Yunez is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yunez surname appeared 105 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 Yunez.

The history of the last name Yunez

The surname Yunez traces its origins to Spain, specifically to the Iberian Peninsula, during the medieval period. It is derived from the given name Yunus, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Yonah, meaning dove. Over time, this given name evolved into a family name as it was passed down through generations.

Initially, the surname appears in historical records around the 12th century in the Kingdom of Castile. The earliest variant of the name recorded was Yunez, which was indicative of a patronymic origin—meaning "son of Yunus." This form was also influenced by the phonetic transitions that names underwent during that period.

In medieval manuscripts, the name Yunez is occasionally found in various local governmental and ecclesiastical records. One notable appearance is in the archives of Burgos in the late 13th century, where a Manolo Yunez is documented as a landowner and a minor noble. His contributions to local agricultural developments are notably referenced in period texts.

By the 15th century, the name had spread to other areas within Spain and beyond, evolving into various spellings such as Yúñez. The prominence of the name is reinforced by Miguel Yunez, born in 1452 and died in 1508, a Spanish merchant who established significant trade routes with North Africa. His efforts and ventures are well-documented in the trade records of Granada.

Into the early modern period, the surname Yunez continued to be borne by individuals who made their mark in various domains. Teresa Yunez, born in 1590, was one of the few documented female scholars of her time, known for her translations of classic Latin texts. Her works were highly regarded in academic circles in Madrid, characterized by their precision and elegance.

In the 18th century, Joaquín Yunez, born in 1715 and died in 1776, served as a prominent military officer under King Charles III. His strategic insights and leadership during conflicts such as the War of Jenkins' Ear were notable, and he is frequently mentioned in military dispatches and chronicles of the period.

Another influential figure is Dr. Fernando Yunez, born in 1864 and died in 1947. He was a renowned physician and public health advocate in Seville, recognized for his work in combating infectious diseases during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His contributions to medicine significantly impacted public health policies in Spain.

The surname Yunez has a rich and varied history, deeply rooted in the cultural and social evolution of Spain. Its bearers have contributed to different facets of historical development, leaving a lasting legacy that is documented in numerous historical references and records throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yunez

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

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 Yunez 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.

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

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

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