Surname Yarboraugh - Meaning and Origin

Yarboraugh: What does the surname Yarboraugh mean?

The last name Yarboraugh is of English origin and is thought to have originated from the Yorkshire area. It is a variant of the term "Arnburgh", coming from the Old English "ærn", meaning "eagle", combined with the Old English "burg", meaning "fortress". The name can also appear as Yarboro, Yarbough, Yarbare, or Yarborough.

Early records of the name date back to 1273, when William de Arnburgh was recorded in the county of Yorkshire, and in 1296, William de Erneberge was registered in the county of Derbyshire. Variations of the surname can be traced through the centuries, including Yareburegh and Yareburgh in 1520 and 1563, and Yarbroughe in the 16th century.

In colonial America, some bearers of the surname migrated to Virginia. Still others migrated farther south into the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama, where the name became Yarboroe, Yarboro, and Yarborough.

These variations of the spelling demonstrate the sizeable influence English dialects have had on the pronunciation of the name. Consequently, many branches of the same family bear different surname versions. The charity organization known as The Order of St. George of Yarbrough is named after the English martyr, St. George of Yarbrough, who was taken to court for preaching against the abuses and injustices his countrymen had inflicted on the Scots.

Today, the last name Yarboraugh is still quite common, particularly in Britain, the USA, and Australia. It is a testament to the strong presence and influence of English settlement in the past centuries.

Yarboraugh: Where does the name Yarboraugh come from?

The last name Yarboraugh is a relatively rare one, but it can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking nations. It is most common in the Southern United States, with a concentration in the states of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. In the Midwest, the last name is rare, but there are a few people who bear it in Ohio and Indiana.

In the United Kingdom, the last name Yarboraugh is concentrated in Scotland and England. In the 2016 Scottish census, there were 71 people who bore this surname, and the United Kingdom census showed 84 people with this last name living in England.

In Canada, the last name is common and there are reports that it was brought by immigrants from Scotland in the eighteenth century. In the 2016 Canadian census, the last name Yarboraugh was found to be particularly concentrated in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

In Australia, the last name is notably concentrated in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. The 2016 Australian census found that the last name Yarboraugh was most common among people of European descent, particularly those from the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Overall, the last name Yarboraugh is particularly concentrated in the English speaking world. It appears that it was brought to its current geographic distributions by waves of immigration from the British Isles in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Variations of the surname Yarboraugh

The surname Yarboraugh is of American origin and has multiple variants. It is also related to the Irish surname O’Gara.

The most common spelling of this name is Yarborough. It can also be found spelled as Yarbrough, Yarboro, Yarborogh, Yarbargh, Yarbourgh, and Yerbarough.

The most common variant is Yarborough, derived from the Old English pre 7th century term ‘Yareburga’, which was a fortified town. This spelling followed the more standard American English.

Yarbrough is another variant of the name which comes from the Gaelic term ‘O’Gara’ meaning ‘ looking south’. It is believed to have been used as a surname in Ireland before migrating to the United States. It is also a variant form of the Scottish surname Yarrabrough.

The spelling Yarborogh and Yarbargh come from a combination of both pronunciations and spellings of Yarbrough and Yarborough.

Yarbourgh is an alternate version of Yarbrough, derived from the Gaelic 'O'Gara' it is found in the Midwestern and Southern regions of the US.

Yerbarough is a spelling variation of both Yarbrough and Yarborough and is more likely to be found in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions of the US.

Famous people with the name Yarboraugh

• J T Yarborough: JT Yarborough is a former NASCAR driver who competed in the Cup Series from 1969 to 1986. He was known for his consistent performance and he remains one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport.
• Stephen Yarborough: Stephen Yarborough is an American singer and songwriter. He is also the lead vocalist of the roots music group, The Swell Season. His unique style of Americana and folk roots music has earned him a considerable following.
• Tony Yarborough: Tony Yarborough was the first driver to win the International Race of Champions (IROC) three times in a row. He is also a three-time selection for the All-American Racers Racing Hall of Fame.
• Claude Yarborough: Claude Yarborough is a Country Music singer and songwriter from Texas. He has written over 300 songs and has won numerous awards, including the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year.
• Harrison Yarborough: Harrison Yarborough is an American basketball player. He was a member of the USA Basketball team who won gold at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Olympics. He is now playing in the NBA G League.
• Jody Yarborough: Jody Yarborough is a professional dancer and choreographer who is best known for his appearance on the popular reality TV show "So You Think You Can Dance". He has choreographed for stars like Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Beyonce.
• Henry Yarborough: Henry Yarborough is a professional football player who played with the San Francisco 49ers. He is also the all-time leader in passing yards for the University of Fresno, where he started his career.
• Charmayne Yarborough: Charmayne Yarborough is an American track and field athlete who competed in the long jump and the 100 meters. She is the former American record holder in the long jump and won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic Games.
• Holly Yarborough: Holly Yarborough is an American lesbian activist and author. She is a founding member of the Lesbian Alliance and has written numerous books on lesbian issues.

Other surnames

YarborahYarborary