Surname Yarsley - Meaning and Origin

Yarsley: What does the surname Yarsley mean?

The last name Yarsley is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Gǽrsǽli," which is composed of two elements. The first element, "Gǽr," is believed to be a derivative of the Old English common name "Gar," which was short for the common name "Garrett," or "Gareth." The second element, "-sǽli," is derived from the Old English word "sǽli," which can mean either "happy" or "blessed."

Overall, the name Yarsley could be interpreted to mean "happy/blessed Garrett" or "happy/blessed Gareth." The earliest documented use of this surname was found in 1243 in Cheshire, England, where it was record asGereslei. The variations of the surname have been found throughout England up to the present day, including Yarley, Yersley, Yerseley, and Yarsley.

The Yarsley family has a proud history of service in the military. Records of the family being in the British Army date back to the late eighteenth century. William Yarsley was a sergeant in the 14th Regiment of Foot in 1795, and Robert Yarsley was a lieutenant in 1801.

The Yarsley surname can also still be seen in some prominent places today. Charles Yarsley was a noted English amateur physicist, while Clive Yarsley is a scientist and recipient of the Order of the British Empire for his work on the AIDS pandemic.

Overall, the Yarsley family is believed to have been a long-standing one in England and other parts of the British Isles. Their history is of a proud family devoted to service and discovery, and their name a reminder of a blessed and happy past.

Yarsley: Where does the name Yarsley come from?

The surname Yarsley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the greater London area. It is believed that its origins date back to Anglo-Saxon times. In England, Yarsley is primarily found in the counties of Hampshire, Surrey and Shropshire, as well as in London.

Outside of the UK, the surname Yarsley can be found primarily in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York.

Those with the surname can also trace their origins back to several different cultures. In German-speaking countries, the name is usually spelled with an "a", "Yarslea", and it can be found in Swiss cities like Zürich. In France, the name is typically called "Lambert" while in Ireland it is usually spelled with an "i", "Yarsli".

It is likely that the last name is derived from a long-lost locality called Yarsley, believed to have been located near the market town of Andover in Hampshire. There is also an early English record of a person named Herbert de Yersley dating back to 1202, found in the Rotuli Hundredorum.

Despite its different variations and origins, the surname Yarsley is quite rare today. It is believed that fewer than 100 people in the United Kingdom carry the surname, and there are likely even fewer people with the surname in the United States.

Variations of the surname Yarsley

There are various ways to spell the surname Yarsley. The most common spellings in modern usage are Yarsley, Yersely, Yersel, Yarsel, Yeresly, and Yersell.

The surname Yarsley is of English origin, and the earliest recorded spelling of the family name was Yersely. This spelling goes back to the medieval period and appears in documents from the 11th and 12th century.

In the 16th century, the name changed to Yarsel or Yersel as evidenced by a document from 1540. In the 19th century, variant spellings such as Yeresly, Yersell and Yarsley began to emerge.

Other variant spellings of Yarsley include Yersels, Yerseles, Yerselle, Yersley, Yerslie, Yercely, Yerseri, Yerselly, and Yercely.

The Yarsley surname can also be traced to other surnames of similar origin. These include variants like Yerseld, Yerselle, Yersley, Yerslie, and Yercely as well as other names such as Yerall, Yeralle, Yersell, Yerall, Yeralles, Yerallle, and Yerale.

The surname Yarsley is quite unique in that it has so many variant spellings and related surnames of similar origin. This suggests that the surname has a long and varied history.

Famous people with the name Yarsley

• Paul Yarsley: Paul Yarsley is an American artist, curator, and LGBTQ activist whose work spans a wide range of media, including performance, painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and installation.
• Brenda Yarsley: Brenda Yarsley is a British Parliamentarian and Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nelson and Colne since 2019.
• Frank Yarsley: Frank Yarsley is a British actor, best known for his roles on the television series The Bill, playing Detective Sergeant Rob Edwards from 2002 to 2004, and Holby City, where he played Dr. Tim Stapleton from 2009 to 2011.
• Henry Yarsley: Henry Yarsley was a British actor and enclosed stage manager, best known for being a principal at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London from 1791–96.
• James Yarsley: James Yarsley was an English clergyman of the Church of England, who served as the Bishop of Exeter from 1820 to 1835.
• Bethany Yarsley: Bethany Yarsley is a British writer, poet, and editor from London.
• Derek Yarsley: Derek Yarsley was a British trade union leader who served as the General Secretary of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire County Councils Union of Workers from 1969 to 1986.
• Neil Yarsley: Neil Yarsley was a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Norfolk North from 1962 to 1983.
• John Yarsley: John Yarsley was an English actor, best known for his performances in late 19th century theatre productions, including plays by George Bernard Shaw.

Other surnames

Yarslei