How common is the Yost surname?

There are approximately 8,500 people with the surname Yost in the United States.

Are there Yost soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 455 soldiers with the Yost surname appear in Civil War records.

Yost

Q: What does the surname Yost mean?

The surname Yost means "Derived from the given name Jost or Joost, a Germanic personal name.". It is of German/Palatinate German origin.

Patronymic

Meaning

Derived from the given name Jost or Joost, a Germanic personal name.

Etymology

The surname comes from the Germanic personal name Jost (also Joost), which is a shortened form of Jodocus or Judocus. This patronymic form developed in German-speaking regions and was brought to America by German and Swiss immigrants.

About the Yost Surname

A surname associated with German and Swiss immigration to colonial America, particularly among Anabaptist communities. The name reflects the patronymic naming traditions of Germanic-speaking regions.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 8,500 bearers in the United States #1,214 most common surname

Rare Common

Primarily found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states, with concentrations in Mennonite communities.

Yost Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Yost Surname

Fielding Yost

Quick Facts

Origin: German/Palatinate German
Classification: Patronymic
Earliest Record: 17th century (Switzerland and Rhineland)
Estimated Bearers: 8,500

War Records

455 soldiers with the Yost surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →