Surname Yarbraugh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Y'
Yarbraugh: What does the surname Yarbraugh mean?
The last name Yarbraugh is an English-Scottish occupational surname of Norman French origin. It likely derives from the Old French word "yarbrigge", meaning an "old bridge" or a "river crossing".
It is mostly found in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the United States and Canada. The majority of those with the last name Yarbraugh in the United Kingdom live in Scotland, with a smaller population in Northern Ireland.
The most likely early origins of the name revolve around a small number of rivers and bridges that were important parts of the English infrastructure. It has been suggested that the name is associated with a bridge between the Yorkshire and Lancaster counties, and was later used as an occupational name for a ferryman who operated on those rivers.
The earliest recorded instance of the last name Yarbraugh can be found in Scotland in the 15th century. The year 1465 marks the earliest instance of the abundance of the name, the birth of Job Yarebragge in Cumberland, England.
The last name Yarbraugh is steeped in history and is a reminder of the impact of early English and Scottish trades in bridging the rivers. It is a fond reminder of a time when engineering and trade were more significant in everyday life.
Order DNA origin analysisYarbraugh: Where does the name Yarbraugh come from?
The last name Yarbraugh is most common in America, particularly in the south. The vast majority of bearers of the surname are descendants of Irish immigrants who settled in regions like New England in the 1800s. Today, many people with the last name are concentrated in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi.
The surname can be traced back to Ireland, in the province of Ulster. The name is derived from the Irish, Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which is an anglicization of the Gaelic Mac Giolla Riabhaighe, which means “son of the follower of the Red One”.
In the United States, there have recently been increases in the number of people carrying the surname. It is estimated that approximately 5,500 persons from the United States bear the Yarbraugh surname, with the majority of those carriers being located in the southern states. More recently, some families with the last name have moved to New Jersey, Florida, and other East Coast states.
Overall, the surname Yarbraugh is relatively common today, particularly in regions with higher concentrations of Irish American descendants. It is most common in the southern states and some East Coast states, but is beginning to spread further throughout America and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Yarbraugh
Yarbraugh is an uncommon and rare English surname. The surname is believed to be a variant of the broader Yarborough name, which is of Norman origin. The spelling of the name can vary, as some families have adjusted their spelling over time. The most common variants of the Yarbraugh surname include Yarrabaugh, Yarbrough, Yarboro, Yarbor, Yardaboo, Yarborow and Yarbrough.
The Yarborough family of England have a long and impressive history. The family claim to be descended from Robert de Vijenant, a descendant of Rollo the Viking. The family was later adopted by the Blundeville family of Cheshire, where they were given the title of Baron, becoming one of the first of England's baronial families.
Historically, the surname has also been spelled as Jorbragh, Jarbrah and Yarrabbugh. The variants Yarrabuch, Yarborough, Yarburaw, Yarbraugh and Yarton are also believed to be variants of the same surname. The Yarmouth family of England are also descended from the same Norman ancestry as the Yarborough family.
In America, the Yarbrough surname is more likely to have been derived from the Scots-Irish name MacGillypatrick. Due to their lack of knowledge of Gaelic, the name likely became Yarbrough and other variants. The surname Yarrabach has also been used in some regions of the United States, including Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland.
Overall, the surname Yarbraugh is extremely rare and is likely a variant of the wider Yarborough name. There are multiple variants and spellings of this surname, both in Britain and America, that can be traced back to the same Norman ancestry.
Famous people with the name Yarbraugh
- Brandy Yarbraugh, educational leader and PR professional
- Aaron Yarbraugh, former professional ice hockey player
- James Yarbraugh, MMA fighter and political activist
- Fort Cumberland Yarbraugh, an early American settler and landowner
- Woody Yarbraugh, a professional wrestling referee
- Richard L. Yarbraugh, a former WWII Colonel in the United States Air Force
- Betty Lou Yarbraugh, an American diplomat
- Cecil L. Yarbraugh, a professional golf player
- Donald Yarbraugh, an NBA referee
- J.D. Yarbraugh, an award-winning songwriter, producer and record label executive.