Surname Yeager - Meaning and Origin
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T. Yeager
read moreYeager: What does the surname Yeager mean?
The last name Yeager is of German origin and is most common in the United States. The name is believed to have derived from the German roots of “jäger,” meaning hunter. This suggests that the family surname is linked to a profession of hunting or trapping for game, which is evident in various states across the United States. It is also possible that the surname Yeager is an anglicized version of the German surname Jäger.
The Yeager family has a long and interesting history. Some records show that the family may have been living in Germany since the 1100s and possibly before that, although the origin is uncertain. The family later moved to border regions of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, well into the 1600s.
The family made their way to America in the 1700s and 1800s, likely lured by the promise of religious and economic freedom. Many of them settled in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio, where the surname is still relatively common today.
The name is likely derived the German verb jagen, which means “to hunt” or “to chase”. This was likely how the family earned its livelihood prior to the family's arrival in the United States. It is no surprise, then, that the association with hunting and trapping continues to remain strong even today.
Today, the last name Yeager is associated with numerous people of note, from the 19th century aviator Charles Yeager through to Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the lunar surface. The surname is also particularly connected to aviation in general and is highly respected in the sporting world as a popular family name.
Order DNA origin analysisYeager: Where does the name Yeager come from?
The last name Yeager is quite common throughout the United States today. It originated in the German state of Bavaria in the late 1700s and was brought to the United States in the 19th century by immigrants of German or Swiss-German descent.
In the 2000 United States Census, approximately 22,479 people bore the Yeager surname. Most of them live in Pennsylvania, home to 20% of the surnames' recorded individuals. Ohio (12%), New York (11%), Virginia (10%), Texas (9%), and Wisconsin (8%) followed in descending order.
In addition to the United States, Yeager is a fairly common name in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This indicates that the name has had a long presence in the region.
The Yeager surname is particularly commonplace in Pennsylvania Dutch communities in the state. The same is true of the less common spelling "Yaeger." Germans from other regions and languages adapted the name as well, allowing for variations such as Yuger, Jäger, Yäger, Jäggi, and Jegge.
Most Yeagers in the United States today are likely descended from the earliest settlers with this surname. Some individuals from other origins have since adopted it as a variant of names meaning "hunter," such as Jaggar or Jäger.
Variations of the surname Yeager
The Yeager surname has various alternative spellings and variants, which are derived from the same origin. These variants include: Yeagar, Yaeger, Yeggar, Jeager, Jeagar, Jäger, Jaeger, Jeggar, Jahger, Yager, Yeager, Yeigar, Yeigher, Yæger, Jagger, Yeggers, Yager, Yeagers, Yegers, Jagers, Jeggers, Yegar, Yeigar, Yegar, Yegor, Jæger and Yaggar.
The origin of the Yeager surname is thought to be German and is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, New York, North Carolina and California. It can be used to refer to a hunter, the occupation of a hunter in the medieval period, or a person who lived near someone with the title of “Jäger,” referring to someone associated with a hunting estate. The spelling of the surname can also evoke a spelling of the Yiddish word “gayger,” meaning a peddler.
As the Yaeger surname is most commonly found in the United States, some variants may have been adapted to English spelling or pronunciation. There is no universal spelling of this surname and users should be aware of the fact that variations may exist within the same family. In the records of the United States, spellings such as “Yaeger”, “Yeager” and “Jaeger” are believed to be used interchangeably and, as such, individuals should research records and documents to determine the original spelling.
Famous people with the name Yeager
- Chuck Yeager: A former United States Air Force general officer and the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985.
- Gen. Jeannie Yeager: The current Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Jeannie Yeager is the first female four-star General in the U.S.
- Bob Yeager: An American musical composer who notably wrote soundtracks for the 1982 film Blade Runner and the 1985 movie The Goonies.
- Johanna Yeager: Chief Operating Officer of the US Green Building Council, Johanna has worked in the sustainability field for over 20 years.
- Frank Yeager: An American professional golfer who won four tournaments on the PGA Tour from 1957 to 1960.
- Henry Yeager: An American musician, teacher, and musicologist who composed the music for the 1981 musical, Splash.
- Jennifer Yeager: An award winning American film director and producer known for her documentary filmmaking.
- Nick Yeager: Nick is an American professional basketball player and the former head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves men's basketball team.
- Tom Yeager: A retired American college athletics administrator who had served as commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Association from 1997 to 2017.
- Jack Yeager: An American business executive who was appointed Executive Vice President of Global Strategy at Amazon in 2019.