Surname Yonker - Meaning and Origin
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Yonker: What does the surname Yonker mean?
The last name Yonker is most likely of Dutch origin. It derived from the term "jongeheer", which translates to "young gentleman". The name was likely given to a younger son of a family to distinguish him from his father.
In the Netherlands, some people with the last name Yonker are descended from residents of the town of Ypenburg, Netherlands. It is believed that those with the last name migrated from Ypenburg during a difficult time in Dutch history in the late 17th century.
Outside of the Netherlands, the name has mostly likely been used as a surname since the 19th century. Many with the name have origins in German and Dutch-speaking areas in Europe and North America.
Today, the last name Yonker is relatively uncommon. It is not found in the U.S. Census, but it is more common in the Netherlands, where it currently ranks 9,932nd in popularity. Those with the last name Yonker may have a unique family history that demonstrates their lineage from Dutch status. It is a simple, but powerful, reminder of their heritage and past.
Order DNA origin analysisYonker: Where does the name Yonker come from?
The last name Yonker is a German surname, and is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from the Old German personal name "Yon", which was a pet form of Johannes, or "John". This last name likely made its way into the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland through migration over hundreds of years.
In the Netherlands, the Yonker surname is most frequent in and around the cities of Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht and in the provinces of South Holland and North Holland. It is also common in the province of Gelderland, which is in the eastern part of the Netherlands.
In Germany, where the last name Yonker originated, the name is typically found in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hessen, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Across Austria and Switzerland, Yonkers can be found in all regions.
Today, the Yonker name is not as common as it was centuries ago, but it still remains popular in the countries of its origin. According to a 2020 census in the Netherlands, there are currently 548 occurrences of the Yonker surname across the country. In Germany, it is estimated that around 8,100 people share this last name.
References:
Names, Germany. (2017, December 28). Yonker Koeln - German Names and Surnames. Retrieved from https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Yonker.
Ritmeyer-archaeological-services. (2017, May 7). Yonker Surname. Retrieved from https://www.ritmeyer-as.com/blog/2017/05/07/yonker-surname/.
Geographycal. (2020). Dutch Surnames - Statistics & Variations. Retrieved from https://geographical.org/ Dutch_surnames.htm.
Volonte, G. (2020, August 28). Yonker Last Name Origin & Meaning. Retrieved from https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=yonker.
Variations of the surname Yonker
The surnames Yonker, Yunker, Yencke, Yunkerd, and Juncker all have the same origin. The spelling variations of the surname Yonker come from a Low German, Dutch, or Frisian form of the name Johannes, which means “John”.
Yonker (also spelled Yunker) is an Americanized version of a German, Dutch, or Frisian form of the German name Johannes (John). It is a surname that was used to denote a farmer, inhabitant of a small town, or a person who had previously resided in a village.
The surname Yencke is derived from the Dutch name Jan, which is a variation of the name Johannes. The spelling variation Yunkerd is derived from the Frisian name Janke, a form of Johannes. Finally, the surname Juncker is derived from the German name Junker which means “lord.”
All of these surname variations come from the same base name, Johannes, which means “John”. This is a very common name in many countries and cultures, so it is not surprising that it has given rise to so many variations in spelling and pronunciation.
Famous people with the name Yonker
- Tali’Zorah nar Rayya (aka Tali), a character in the game Mass Effect.
- J. Wes Yonker, an American director and television producer.
- Cristie Ann Yonker, an American artist best known for her work in combining healing and Reiki with fine art.
- Adam Yonker, an American lacrosse player.
- Craig Yonker, an American strength and conditioning coach.
- Rolf Yonker, a German football player.
- Ron Yonker, an American forestry specialist.
- Evelyn Yonker, a Canadian curler.
- Rob Yonker, a former professional American football player.
- Sarah Yonker, an American former professional softball player.