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

Yurk, 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 Yurk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yurk in America

Yurk is the 67943rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yurk surname appeared 290 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 Yurk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yurk 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 Yurk

The surname Yurk likely has its origins in Eastern Europe, specifically in Poland, Ukraine, or neighboring regions. It appears to stem from the late medieval period, around the 13th to 14th centuries. One proposed etymology suggests a derivative from the Slavic name Jurek, itself a diminutive of the name George. George and its various forms have deep roots in Christianity, especially linked to Saint George, a prominent Christian martyr.

In terms of specific areas, the name Yurk shows historical roots in the regions currently within Poland and parts of Ukraine that were formerly under the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia or the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. These regions saw a significant settlement of Slavic peoples who used names related to prominent Saints as means of asserting Christian identity.

Old records, while scarce, do signal the appearance of surnames related to Yurk. One notable record is a 15th-century Polish manuscript detailing land ownership which mentions a "Janusz Yurkowski," a possible ancestor or variation of the surname Yurk. By the 16th century, the surname Yurk appears more established, showing the progression from given names to inherited surnames reflecting familial lineage.

The earliest recorded example of the distilled Yurk surname dates back to a tax registry from 1556 in Kraków, listing a Michal Yurk as a tradesman. In historical records, this surname evolved through various spellings like Jurk and Jurek, indicating phonetic variations common in older European surnames.

Given its Christian roots linked to Saint George, the surname was common among Polish nobility and clergy. One notable figure is Jakub Yurkowski, a bishop in Lwów (now Lviv, Ukraine) during the 17th century, known for his contributions to the Church, born in 1622 and died in 1690. His life underscores the connection between derived surnames from the names of Saints and the church's significant role in cultural identity.

Another prominent historical figure was Marek Yurk, a member of the Polish gentry who served in the military and administrative roles during the late 17th century. Records from 1683 show his involvement in regional councils, indicating his status and the surname's recognition within noble circles.

Through the 18th century, the Yurk surname appears as part of expanding civic records across the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Katarzyna Yurk, born in 1734, is noted for her contributions to literature and education in Poznań. Her published works and educational endeavors helped solidify the surname's association with intellectual pursuits.

Moving into the 19th century, the surname appears amidst significant socio-political upheavals in Eastern Europe. Piotr Yurk, born in 1821, became a noted figure in the January Uprising of 1863 against Russian rule in Poland. His participation and documented letters contribute to the understanding of nationalistic sentiments and family heritages during this period.

By the early 20th century, records show a diversified presence of the surname Yurk in various parts of Europe and a gradual spread to North America due to immigration. Antoni Yurk, born in 1887, was an influential political figure in interwar Poland, contributing to the shaping of modern Polish statehood. His works and speeches are preserved in national archives.

In essence, the surname Yurk signifies a deeply rooted cultural and religious heritage, evolving through centuries marked by socio-political changes in Eastern Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yurk

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

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

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

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