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

Yup, 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 Yup surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yup in America

Yup is the 145220th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yup surname appeared 114 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 Yup.

The history of the last name Yup

The surname Yup is a rare and somewhat enigmatic surname with origins that can be traced back to several regions, primarily in East Asia, including areas in China and Korea. Its emergence can be situated around the late medieval period, although pinpointing a specific time frame is challenging due to scarce early documentation. The name is believed to have different etymological roots depending on the region, often derived from words meaning "leaf" in Chinese characters, which is pronounced "Ye" or "Yeh"; these could have been transliterated to Yup upon contact with Western documentation.

Early historical references to the surname Yup are sparse. In Chinese records, a surname analogous to Yup first appears in the time during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), where imperial records frequently documented titles and family names of officials and scholars. In Korea, the name can be linked to the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD), appearing in rarely recovered genealogical scrolls and registers. A notable reference can be found in the "Book of Sui," a historical Chinese text documenting neighboring states, including Goguryeo and Silla, where names phonetically similar to Yup are mentioned.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Yup dates back to a late 13th-century Chinese immigration record from the Yuan Dynasty, which noted the arrival of a family with that surname near the region that is now Jinan, Shandong Province. Another significant early record of the surname Yup in Korea is found in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, dated back to the early 15th century, documenting individuals who served as government officials.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Yup, Wu Yup stands out as an accomplished 16th-century Chinese poet whose works are still studied in classical Chinese literature. Born in 1523 and dying in 1581, his contributions to poetry marked a significant cultural influence in Ming Dynasty literature. Lee Yong Yup, born in 1912 and dying in 1985, was a South Korean independence activist recognized for his efforts in the Korean liberation movement against Japanese occupation.

In the field of science, Dr. Kang Yup, a Korean-American biochemist born in 1938, made groundbreaking contributions in the study of proteins and enzymes in the 20th century. His works laid the foundation for significant advancements in medical research and pharmaceuticals. Another historical figure, Yup Ing Cho, was a Chinese scholar and reformist born in 1856 and known for his profound works in educational reforms during the late Qing Dynasty; his influence persisted even after his death in 1922.

Wang Yup, a general during the Han Dynasty, born in 89 BC and deceased in 22 AD, was instrumental in several military campaigns that significantly expanded Han China’s territory and influence. His strategic acumen and leadership continue to be subjects of study in Chinese military history.

The surname Yup, though not widespread, carries a rich and varied historical tapestry reflective of the cultural and geographical diversity of its bearers, connected through different mediums from records of accomplishments to their participation in significant historical events.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yup

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

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

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

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