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

Yunga, 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 Yunga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yunga in America

Yunga is the 49636th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yunga surname appeared 423 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 Yunga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yunga 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 Yunga

The surname Yunga has its origins in South America, particularly within the Andean regions. The name is predominantly associated with indigenous communities of Peru, where it has been historically linked to the Yunga people. The Yunga were a significant pre-Columbian civilization known for living in the coastal areas of Peru, flourishing before the rise of the Incan Empire.

The word Yunga itself is believed to derive from the Quechua language, which was widely spoken among the indigenous populations of the Andean regions. In Quechua, the term Yunga loosely translates to "warm valleys" or "hot land," which accurately describes the ecological zones where the ancient Yunga people resided. Similar words can be found in other local languages, showcasing minor variations in spelling but retaining the core meaning.

Historical records mentioning the surname Yunga are relatively sparse, yet the name's significance can be traced back to early colonial documents. During the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, several manuscripts noted the presence of Yunga communities and their leaders. One early record from 1535 in the chronicles of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro mentions the Yunga people and their territories, indirectly noting the surname’s historical roots.

The earliest recorded individual with the surname Yunga appears in church and colonial records from the early 17th century. One notable figure was Juan Yunga, born in 1621, a local leader in the coastal Peruvian town of Trujillo. Juan played a prominent role in mediating between indigenous communities and Spanish colonial authorities. His influence was particularly noted during the indigenous uprisings against colonial oppression in the mid-17th century.

Another prominent individual with the surname Yunga was María Yunga, born in 1695, a healer and shaman in the region of Arequipa, Peru. María was renowned for her extensive knowledge of traditional medicinal practices and herbal remedies, preserving the cultural heritage of the Yunga people during a time of significant external pressures.

In the 18th century, Francisco Yunga was a distinguished artisan, born in 1730, known for his skill in creating intricate textiles and pottery. His works were highly regarded and even collected by Spanish colonial officials, offering a glimpse into the rich artistic traditions of the Yunga culture.

During the 19th century, Manuel Yunga emerged as a prominent figure. Born in 1825, he was a respected community leader in the Ayacucho region. Manuel played a key role in the local resistance against European influences, striving to maintain and protect indigenous customs and traditions during a period of intense cultural upheaval.

In the early 20th century, Rosa Yunga, born in 1883, gained recognition as a pioneering educator and activist for indigenous rights in Peru. Rosa's efforts were instrumental in advocating for the preservation of the Quechua language and promoting the education of indigenous children, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Peru.

The surname Yunga carries with it a rich tapestry of history, rooted in the Andean mountains and the enduring legacy of the indigenous Yunga people. Through various periods of history, individuals bearing the surname have contributed significantly to their communities, preserving cultural heritage and resisting external pressures, showcasing the resilience and strength of the Yunga name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yunga

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

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

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

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