Yavetz

Yavetz is a surname of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is a variant spelling of Jaffe (יפה), a Hebrew word meaning "beautiful." The name Jaffe/Yavetz is often associated with descendants of Rabbi Mordechai Jaffe (c. 1530-1612), also known as the Levush, a prominent rabbinical authority and author of the legal code, the Levush Malkhut.

The variations in spelling, such as Yavetz, likely arose due to differences in pronunciation and transliteration across different regions and time periods during the diaspora. It can also be attributed to the evolution and standardization of surnames over generations. Individuals bearing the surname Yavetz are found primarily in communities with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

The surname is generally considered to be relatively rare compared to other common Jewish surnames.