Surname Yeardley - Meaning and Origin
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Yeardley: What does the surname Yeardley mean?
The last name Yeardley is an Old English surname that can be traced back to the era of Anglo-Saxon rule in England. The name is thought to have derived from the Middle English word “yard” which denotes a piece of enclosed land. In some cases, the history of the name could be linked to a local landowner who owned a sizable piece of land.
In English heraldry, the Yeardley family crest is represented by a fleur-de-lis with two wings outstretched in a V-shape. The fleur-de-lis is a classic French symbol, and it was popular during the Middle Ages. It has come to symbolize faith, loyalty, and purity.
The name Yeardley is quite uncommon in modern times. Research reveals that it is most predominant in the United Kingdom, particularly in the county of Hampshire. It remains in fairly wide use in the United States, although it is a relatively uncommon name.
The most famous bearer of the Yeardley surname is Virginia colonist John Yeardley, who was Governor of the Virginia Company during the 1619 to 1620 term. He was a valiant leader and pioneer, and is looked upon as a key contributor to the birth of democracy in North America.
Overall, the Yeardley surname is filled with history and has a legacy of faithfulness and fortitude. Whether one is approaching the family name from a linguistic, heraldic, or historical perspective, it is certain to be remembered with prestige and respect.
Order DNA origin analysisYeardley: Where does the name Yeardley come from?
The last name Yeardley is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. It is an English surname which originates from an ancient family of Anglo-Saxon ancestors who lived in Yorkshire towards the end of the Saxon period. The surname was derived from either a place name or a nickname. It is suggested that it may have been derived from the Old English word for 'enclosure' or 'fenced area'.
Yeardley is still a quite common surname in England today, particularly in the East Midlands, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. In the 1881 UK census there were a reported 5,686 people with the Yeardley surname, making it the 46th most common last name at the time. By the 2011 UK census there were 5,131 people with the Yeardley surname. The popularity of the surname has declined slightly since 1881 but it is still widely used throughout the country today.
At the present time, Yeardley is also found in other areas of the world, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, the prevalence of the name is much lower than in the United Kingdom. It is more likely that the Yeardley surname is found in individuals with some sort of ancestral connection to the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Yeardley
Yeardley is a surname of Norman-French origin, derived from the Old French term “Gardelei,” meaning “stronghold in a clearing.” As with many surnames of this origin, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Some of the variants of Yeardley include Yardley, Yardly, Yardleigh, Yeadly, Yeardleigh, and Yerdel. Less common variants include Yerdely, Yirdly, Yeardelegh, Yardlake, Yeardly and Yerdley.
Spellings of Yeardley include Yeardely, Yirdley, Yirdly, Yeardlie, Yerdeley, Yeadlye, Yeadley, Yerdley and Yerdel.
Other surnames of the same origin include Gardley, Gardly, Girdley, Girdly, Girley, Gerdel, Gerdly, Jardley, Jirdly, Jerdly, Jerrdley, Cordley, Cardly, Kurdly, Cardilion and Cardilleon.
The surnames mentioned above are evidence of how many variants and spellings have evolved over time from the base origin of Yeardley. With so many spelling variants, it can be difficult to trace a family line or identify related individuals, as different branches may have adopted different spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Yeardley
- George Yeardley (1595–1655), the Colonial Governor of Virginia.
- Joseph Yeardley (1787–1858), British landowner and Member of Parliament.
- James Murray-Yeardley (1834-1900), British Army officer and Liberal politician.
- Mary Yeardley (1845-1906), American poet, writer and anti-vivisection activist.
- John Yeardley (1849–1949), English Congregationalist minister and missionary, and writer on religious themes.
- Lila Yeardley (born 1965), British writer, art historian and lecturer.
- Gage Yeardley (born 1999), Canadian actor.
- William Yeardley (1720–1778), British wood carver and furniture maker.
- George Yeardley (1610–1627), Virginian colonist.
- Christopher Yeardley (1599-1654), English politician.