Surname Yonkin - Meaning and Origin
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Yonkin: What does the surname Yonkin mean?
The last name Yonkin is generally accepted to have Jewish origins, though its precise meaning is unknown.
Yiddish etymologists believe that the name is derived from the given name Yonke, which is a form of the Biblical Hebrew name Yonah. This masculine given name translates into English as ‘dove’, and is the same name used by the Prophet Jonah. It is also possible that the surname Yonkin is derived from the given name of Yona or Yonah, which is a Hebrew variant of John.
In the United States and United Kingdom, Yonkin has been recorded both as a surname and as a given name, though it is more common as a last name. It is also known to have been used as a nickname or diminutive ‘Yonkie’.
Within the Jewish community, Yonkin is often believed to relate to the concept of circling the wagons, a unity of the people that occurs in times of difficulty and serves as a reminder of the strength of culture and family. This idea of survival is likely to be the meaning of the surname Yonkin.
Amongst people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, there are numerous versions of the surname, including Yonkin, Yankin, Yankowitz, Yannen, Yankovisky and Yankovitch.
Order DNA origin analysisYonkin: Where does the name Yonkin come from?
The last name Yonkin is most commonly found today in Germany. According to various genealogy records, the Yonkin name is found most often in the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, and Saxony.
The Yonkin name first originated in Germany during the 12th century when surnames were adopted as a way to distinguish a family from other families with the same name. During this period, only wealthy families were able to affort to have their name passed down.
The Yonkin name is likely derived from the Old German occupational name Yunken, which was given to the master of an unused horse from a knight’s stable. The name could also have been derived from a personal characteristic such as the Germanic words for young or brave.
Today, the Yonkin surname is not particularly common in Germany. According to recent records, only 21 Yonkin families remain, representing a small fraction of the population. The majority of these families reside in the same three states as before, indicating that the Yonkin name has been passed down from generation to generation in these areas.
It is unclear why the Yonkin name has become so rare in Germany today. It is possible that the families spread out to other countries or got assimilated into other cultures. In any case, Germany still remains the primary place of origin for the Yonkin surname.
Variations of the surname Yonkin
Yonkin is an uncommon English surname thought to be derived from the Middle English term yonken, meaning "to yoke or join together." As a result, its variants can be found in many different cultures and regions.
The most common variant of the Yonkin surname is Yonker, which is predominantly Dutch and German in origin. Yanker, Yanko, Yunker, Yunger, and Yunker are all related variations of the same surname.
In some regions, the Yonkin surname has evolved into variations such as Yanking, Yankey, and even Yankovich. Another variation of the Yonkin surname is Yonen, which is found in Scandinavian countries.
The Irish version of the Yonkin surname is Yonane, while in Italy the version is Yoncin, and in the UK the version is often spelled Yoakin.
In the United States, some Yonkin families use the spelling Yakim, while Yankovic is found in both Eastern Europe and the United States. Some people with the surname have also changed their spelling to Yankin, Yoking and Yonken for reasons unknown.
No matter the spelling or regional derivation, any of these variations are likely to represent the Yonkin surname. Those researching their family trees may encounter any of these variants, though it is important to note that regardless of the spelling, the origin remains the same.
Famous people with the name Yonkin
- Michael Yonkin: Michael Yonkin is an American independent film producer and actor. As an actor, he starred in the television series Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, as well as the independent films Boonesville, Creekbed, and Cornered.
- Irwin Yonkin: Irwin Yonkin is a former American Paralympic basketball player, and a professor and director of music and percussion for the Los Angeles County Unified School District.
- Sarah Yonkin: Sarah Yonkin is an assistant principal at Lower Dauphin Senior High School in Hershey, PA. She was named one of Distinguished Women of Pennsylvania in 2020.
- Isaac Yonkin: Isaac Yonkin is a founding partner and Managing Director at Digital Video Enterprises, a media production company working with Fortune 500 companies.
- David Yonkin: Dr. David Yonkin is an interventional cardiologist with more than 35 years of experience in the field. He serves on the clinical―cardiology faculty at the Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.
- Harry Yonkin: Harry Yonkin is an artist and printmaker specializing in stone lithography. He has created a variety of limited edition print series.
- Anna Yonkin: Anna Yonkin is an American jewelry designer best known for her semi-precious gemstone necklaces and bracelets.
- Paul Yonkin: Paul Yonkin is an attorney and litigator who has over 25 years of experience in a variety of practice areas, including criminal defense, civil litigation, antitrust, trademark, and labor and employment matters.
- Leonard Yonkin: Leonard Yonkin is the CEO of pension and actuarial consulting firm Jonas, Yonkin-McAuley. He has been a chartered principal with the American Academy of Actuaries since 1984, and a Fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries since 1994.
- Joe Yonkin: Joe Yonkin is a historian specializing in African-American military history and has produced documentaries, organized events, and written several books in the field. He is the president of the Yonkin-Landsgrave Institute for African-American Military History.