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

Yussuf, 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 Yussuf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yussuf in America

Yussuf is the 35489th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yussuf surname appeared 634 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 Yussuf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yussuf 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 Yussuf

The surname Yussuf has its origins in the Middle East, most specifically within the Arab-speaking regions. Deriving from the Arabic name Yusuf, which is a theophoric name meaning "God increases" or "God will add", it reflects strong historical and religious connotations. The name finds its biblical roots in the figure of Joseph, a significant character in the Abrahamic religions, further solidifying its importance.

The surname Yussuf can be traced back to the early Islamic era, around the 7th and 8th centuries, when Arab tribes began recording genealogies and lineages meticulously. As Arabic culture spread across the Middle East, North Africa, and into parts of Europe and Asia through trade and conquests, so too did the surname in its various forms and spellings, such as Yusuf, Yussef, and Youssouf.

Historical references to the surname Yussuf appear in medieval manuscripts and records. One notable document is the Andalusian archives during the 10th century, which recorded various households and their lineages. An example would be Mohammed Ibn Yussuf, a respected scholar in the Caliphate of Cordoba in the 950s. His works and contributions to Islamic jurisprudence are still referenced in historical texts today.

The surname’s earliest recorded examples often appear in regions profoundly influenced by Islamic culture. In the Ottoman Empire, a noteworthy figure was Haji Ahmed Yussuf Pasha, a governor of Bosnia in the late 17th century who played a significant role in the administration and military campaigns of the time. Records from that period illustrate the surname's integration into varying social and administrative structures.

Another prominent person with the surname Yussuf was Saadi Yussuf, a North African merchant who operated in the bustling trade city of Tangier in the 15th century. His trading activities between the Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa were well-documented in various accounts, highlighting the interconnectedness of the surname with economic and social history.

During the Mughal era in India, the surname Yussuf was carried by noble families and influential leaders. Yusuf Khan, a military general under Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century, played a critical role in several battles that expanded the Mughal Empire. His name and deeds were immortalized in court chronicles and historical accounts over the centuries.

As Southern Europe saw the influences of the Moors, the surname found its place within Spanish and Portuguese territories. Isabel Yussuf, a Moorish woman known for her literary contributions during the Reconquista in the 14th century, penned several poetries and philosophical works that survived through Spanish translations.

The surname continued to be notable in the Ottoman administrative records of the Balkans and North Africa. In the 18th century, Sayed Yussuf, a diplomat in the Ottoman court, was known for his extensive travels and treaties with European powers, which were crucial at the time in maintaining diplomatic relations.

Throughout history, the surname Yussuf has maintained its significance and presence across various cultures, illustrating the widespread historical impact of the name within Islamic and global historical contexts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yussuf

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

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

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

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