Surname Yerborough - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Y'
Yerborough: What does the surname Yerborough mean?
The last name Yerborough derives from the Old English language, and refers to someone who lived near or occupied a fortified town. In the Middle Ages, fortified towns were known as burghs. Thus, Yerborough literally translates as meaning “of the fortified town,” or “belonging to the burgh.”
The Yerborough name is thought to have originated in the area of Tyne and Wear in the north of England. This was a heavily populated region during the Middle Ages, and many fortified towns were built there. It is likely that the people of this area who became known as the Yerboroughs adopted their name from their proximity to such a lowland dwelling.
The Yerborough name goes back many centuries and has spread across Britain to countries such as America and Australia, giving rise to many branches of the family. It is not thought that the name has any connection to other surnames from other linguistic sources, making it quite an exclusive and fascinating name to have.
Today, the Yerborough name lives on throughout the globe and serves as a reminder of how our ancestors lived in days gone by. It is a reminder of the strong fortifications that were necessary for protecting an area and its people from potential threats, as well as the importance of family and community.
Order DNA origin analysisYerborough: Where does the name Yerborough come from?
The last name Yerborough is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. It is speculated that the origin of the name can be traced back to England, likely stemming from the Old English word "yefer", meaning "barley".
In the United Kingdom, the last name Yerborough is found scattered throughout England and Scotland, but with the highest concentrations in the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Warwickshire in the English Midlands and Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, and Inverness-shire in Scotland.
In the United States, the last name is most often found in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina. This is likely due to an increased English immigration to the American south in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In Australia, the name Yerborough mainly exists in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, with some areas having a higher concentration than others. The higher concentrations tend to be in larger cities such as Melbourne and Sydney.
Overall, the name Yerborough is believed to have originated in England before the migration of the family to other countries. It is currently evenly spread throughout the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia, with no clear majority in any single country or region.
Variations of the surname Yerborough
The surname Yerborough is derived from the Old English words 'eorl' meaning ‘nobleman’ or 'earl' and 'burg', which means ‘fortress’ or ‘town’. The name was first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as Yerburgeth, and can be found to this day as Yerburgh or Yerburhough.
Variant spellings of this surname include Yorborough, Yerborought, Yerbough, Yerburrough, Yerburrow, Yerbergh, Yerburghe, Yerburro, Yebyrgh, Yerburge, Yerborow, Yerburgh, Yerboroughe, Yerborou, Yerbourgh, and Yerbourge.
Surnames of similar origin include Yairburrow, Yarbrough, Yarborough, Yareborough, Yeaburgh, Yeaburrow, Yerbrough, Yorburgh, Yarborow, Yerebrough, Yerbyrough, and Yerbarow.
In terms of good ol’ American slang, the variant spellings of Yerborough can also be written as Yarboro, Yarboroough, and Yarborow. Other short varieties of the name are Yerbo and Yerb.
The Yerborough surname has even taken root in multiple countries, appearing as Yerburo in Spain and Yerberg in Germany. This surname can also be found acquiring new national identities in Mexico as Jerbur, Jerburgo, and Jerburu, and as Jerburgo in Portugal.
No matter which way you spell it, the surname Yerborough is an ancient one that has stood the test of time.
Famous people with the name Yerborough
- John Yerborough: American musician best known as the former guitarist for the alternative rock band The Afghan Whigs.
- William Yerburgh: English cricketer who was a right-handed batsman and occasional wicket-keeper who played first-class cricket for Manchester and Lancashire between 1820 and 1824.
- Dwight Yerborough: American basketball player who competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for four seasons.
- Emmett Yerborough: American actor best known for playing entrepreneur Al in the NBC sitcom A Different World.
- Richard Yerborough: American fashion designer and former creative director of American fashion house Guess.
- Billy Yerborough: American musician who played with multiple bands throughout the 1970s and 1980s, most notably as the lead guitarist for rock band Blackfoot.
- Peter Yerborough: British music reviewer and journalist who worked for the weekly music magazine NME in the late ‘80s and early 90s.
- Martin Yerborough: English musician, composer and producer, who has released several solo albums of his own work as well as produced/mixed albums for a variety of artists.
- James Yerborough: former NFL running back who played from 1972 to 1974 for the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins.
- Robert Yerborough: British artist who has exhibited in galleries throughout Europe, and whose work has been featured in multiple television programmes and national newspapers.