Surname Yearwood - Meaning and Origin
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Yearwood: What does the surname Yearwood mean?
The last name Yearwood is derived from an Old English term meaning “forest clearing” and is thought to have been brought to Great Britain by Scandinavian settlers around the year 1000 AD. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, but can also be traced to European countries such as Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The name is believed to have been brought to the United States by English immigrants sometime in the 1800s.
The meaning of the name suggests strong ties to the outdoors. Yearwood – or Yew-wood – was associated with the properties of the yew tree, a dark, evergreen conifer found in the forests of the British Isles. These trees – while toxic in their natural form – were believed to possess healing powers. Yew wood was used to make bows for archery and hunting and was said to serve as a protection against malevolent spirits.
Today, the last name Yearwood is found in many countries around the world. People with this surname often share a common connection to the outdoors and nature, as well as a proud heritage rooted in the British Isles. The name is a reminder of the powerful connection between the land and the people who live on it.
Order DNA origin analysisYearwood: Where does the name Yearwood come from?
The last name Yearwood is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southeastern part of the country. It could also be found in countries with a large population of African-American or Caribbean roots.
In the U.S., Yearwood traces it historical roots to Georgia and Florida, where the name was most frequently encountered. It is thought to have come to the area from Barbados in the late 17th century. Yearwood is also found in the Midwest, with records indicating it being found in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.
Today, the surname Yearwood is extremely popular, with nearly 22,000 results when the name is searched using ancestry.com. In the United States, the name can be found in every state, with more than 2,000 people who share the name in the state of Georgia alone.
The name is particularly popular in Texas, where more than 2,700 people have the Yearwood surname. Yearwood is also quite popular internationally, with people bearing the name found living in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Jamaica.
Overall, the last name Yearwood is quite common today and is found throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Jamaica. Its historical roots reach back to the late 17th century when it entered the United States from Barbados.
Variations of the surname Yearwood
The surname Yearwood is commonly spelled as Yearwood, Yarwood, Yerwood and Yeawood. Other variants of the surname, although less common, include Airwood, Erwood and Eirwood.
The surname Yearwood has been derived from the Old English personal name Eareweard, and also possibly from the Old English word “eare”, meaning dawn or early morning. It was originally a nickname for an early riser, and later as an occupational surname for a guard.
The Yerwood variant is derived from the Old English personal name Iorwerth, which was later shortened to Yer. This variation of the surname was adopted in areas where Welsh was the spoken language.
The Yarwood variant, known as an Americanized form of the surname, is an anglicized version of the French name Hermier, which was introduced into England and Wales by the Normans after 1066.
The Airwood variation is derived from the Old English root Eir, meaning early.
The Yeawood variant is derived from an Old English word meaning “yew tree”, adding to the belief that the original bearer of the name had lived in a region where there was an abundance of yew trees.
The Eirwood variant is derived from the Germanic personal name Eirik, which was introduced into England and Wales by the Vikings in the 8th and 9th centuries. The name means “eternal” in Old Norse.
Overall, the surname Yearwood is an interesting mix of personal names, nicknames, placenames and occupational titles. It is an old English surname that is still found in countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Yearwood
- Trisha Yearwood: Country music singer-songwriter
- Robert Yearwood: Professional football player
- Tayla Yearwood: Professional soccer player
- Jules Yearwood: Professional wrestler
- Robert Yearwood: Physicist
- Ty Yearwood: Professional snowboarder
- Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Yearwood: R&B Singer and dancer
- Gamma Yearwood: reggae artist
- Debbie Yearwood: Olympic field hockey player
- Karen Yearwood: Professional race car driver