Surname Yarborrow - Meaning and Origin

Yarborrow: What does the surname Yarborrow mean?

The surname Yarborrow has an etymological origin in the British Isles. It is believed that the name is derived from a personal name derived from the Old Norse language. While the meaning of the name is uncertain, some sources suggest that it may come from the Old Norse word “Jorvi,” which translates to “spring” or “current,” or the Old High German “erbe,” which means “heir.”

The earliest records of the name in England date back to the late 13th century, when Robert de Yarborough was recorded as a witness in Yorkshire. Subsequent records of the name include a Richard de Yarborough, who held lands in Kendale, Lancashire, in 1293. The surname is also found in County Mayo, Ireland, where it was anglicized to Yarborough.

Yarborrow is an old British name, and evidence suggests that its original bearers may have been of Scandinavian or High German descent. Bearers of the surname have since spread around the world, though most are found still in the British Isles. The surname is also associated with several prominent historical figures, including Mary Ann Yarborough, the first recorded black American woman to serve as a missionary.

Yarborrow: Where does the name Yarborrow come from?

The last name Yarborrow is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. According to the 1881 English Census, the name was especially concentrated in Suffolk, markers suggesting its origin likely lies in an English family or someone from Suffolk who later adopted the Yarborrow surname. The name has since spread across England to other regions such as Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and even to areas farther north like Lancashire and Merseyside.

The name has also since spread to other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The United States has the highest concentration of the name, largely in the Northeastern states, and the South. It is likely that some of these individuals were descendants of early immigrants who settled in New England during the colonial period.

The name is also found in many other countries as well. It is commonly seen in parts of the Caribbean, especially Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago, countries which have a close relationship with the United Kingdom through their histories.

The name Yarborrow is less common in other countries than the United States and the United Kingdom, but it is still present in a number of countries in Europe and beyond. Census records in other countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and others reflect the presence of people bearing this name.

Overall, the last name Yarborrow is quite widespread, and its origins lie in the United Kingdom, though it has since spread to other countries across the world over the course of several centuries.

Variations of the surname Yarborrow

The surname Yarborrow is quite uncommon and is not very widespread. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Yarboro, Yarbrough, Yarborough, Yarborow and Yarborough.

The most common spelling is Yarbrough. It is often Anglicized from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic versions of the surname. This variant is said to have been derived from the Gaelic personal names ‘O’hearba’ or ‘O’hEarcä’, which mean ‘descendant of the green-headed one’ or ‘young warrior’ respectively.

The spelling Yarborough is the oldest version of the surname. This spelling is more frequently used in Ireland and could be derived from the Old English personal name ‘Ealhbeorht’. It is also speculated that this surname could have originated from Old English words meaning ‘island with a yew tree’.

The variant Yarboro, is more common in the U.S. and could possibly have derived from the Scotch-Irish spelling Yerburgh. Yerburgh was said to have descended from the Gaelic personal name Mac Giolla Dhomhnaigh, meaning 'Devotee of St. Dómhnach’.

The variants Yarborow and Yarborough are less common spellings of the surname and may have possibly been derived from various origin-based surnames.

The surname Yarborrow is also said to be of possible Hebrew origin, with one source claiming that the name is a variant of Yarborough or Yarber, from the Hebrew name 'Yeru-El' meaning ‘God is light’.

Famous people with the name Yarborrow

• Martin Yarborough: professional American football player, current member of the Washington Football Team.
• Don Yarborough: American lawyer and politician who served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1963 to 1969.
• Mo Yarborough: American actor and stand-up comedian.
• Velma Yarborough: American journalist, writer, and editor known for her contributions to women's sports, primarily women's basketball.
• John Yarborough: British Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics and 1932 Summer Olympics.
• Gary Yarborough: American race car driver known for competing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series in the 1970s and 1980s.
• LeRoy Yarborough: Former professional American football player who played cornerback for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, and New England Patriots.
• Jamie Yarborough: Professional track and field athlete who represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
• Edwin Yarborough: American Major General who served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1994.
• Clifford Yarborough: American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos.

Other surnames

YarborroYarborrough