Surname Yonge - Meaning and Origin

Yonge: What does the surname Yonge mean?

The surname Yonge is of English origin and is derived from the Olde English surname "Yonge". The name is thought to be derived from an earlier than Olde English word meaning "a young one" which was used as a nickname and ultimately as a surname.

The transcription of Yonge, is usually Yonge or Young. This transcription most likely happens due to a process called folk etymology, a process which involves changing a word or name to make it closer to words of similar meaning in the speaker’s native language.

This surname was first recorded in 12th century when Richard le Yonge was recorded in 1193 in the Curt of Norfolk. The Yonge family settled in Cornwall some time after this date, and later spread to other parts of the UK. The Yonge surname can still be found throughout the English-speaking world, particularly in the UK and US.

Throughout recorded history, there have been numerous famous people who have shared the Yonge surname. These include Sir William Yonge, an English soldier and politician who was knighted for his services to Queen Elizabeth I, and Sir George Yonge, an English politician who served in Parliament and later became Secretary of War in the 1700s.

In summary, the last name Yonge most likely has its origins from an Olde English word meaning 'young one'. It can be found in various countries today, particularly in the UK and US, and there have been a number of famous people who have shared this surname throughout history.

Yonge: Where does the name Yonge come from?

The last name Yonge is predominantly found in the United Kingdom. It is most commonly found in Cornwall, Devon, Shropshire, and Oxfordshire. It is also widely found in Canada, particularly in Ontario, where it is an especially popular name.

The name Yonge is of Norman origin, derived from the personal name Young or Yonge. Records of this name date back to the 12th century when one Willelmo Yonge was listed in the Worcester Rolls. There are also records of several knights of the name, although it is unclear whether they all belonged to the same family.

Most places in the UK named Yonge, such as Yonge Street in London and Yonge Street in Norwich, are named after a family of the same name. In Cornwall, the surname Yonge is especially common; as late as the 19th century, there were nearly a hundred people with some variant of the surname recorded in local parish registers.

In Canada, the surname Yonge is most commonly found in Ontario, the most populous province in the country. According to a mid-20th century census, Yonge was the 20th most common surname in the province. It is likely that the large number of Canadians with this name are descended from the original settlers of the region who arrived in the late 17th century.

Variations of the surname Yonge

The Yonge surname is likely of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English personal name "Yonge". Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Young, Younge, Youngs, Younge, Yung, Yong, Yonges and Yung.

The Young and Younge spelling of the name dates back to 12th century England. The Younge spelling was used especially in the West Country, while the Youngs spelling was adopted in the Yorkshire area. The Young variant is the most widespread version of the surname.

The Yung variant can be found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is thought to have originated with the Old English word “geong” meaning young or youthful.

The Yonges and Yung spellings of the name have been recorded in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire respectively. Both variations are thought to have originated from Middle English adaptations of the Old English “yonge”.

Variants of Yonge are also found elsewhere including in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Scandinavia. Variants of the surname can also be found in many other countries around the world. The Yonge surname today is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, with less common occurrences in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Yonge

• Charlotte Mary Yonge (1823–1901): English novelist who wrote more than 180 books in her lifetime, best known for her novel The Heir of Redclyffe (1854).
• Charles Duke Yonge (1812–1891): English naval historian who wrote a 10-volume naval history of England.
• Owen Yonge (1913–2007): South African cricketer who played for the Transvaal cricket team in the 1930s and 1940s.
• Robert Yonge (1659–1731): English physician and educator who helped found the first medical school in St. Thomas, the West Indies.
• William Yonge (1731–1812): British politician and diplomat who served as a Member of Parliament for three terms and as an envoy to the Vatican under King George II.
• Frederick Yonge (1834–1927): English civil and ecclesiastical engineer who designed many churches and public buildings during the Victorian era.
• John Yonge Akerman (1806–1873): English antiquary and numismatist who wrote extensively about coins and the history of Britain.
• Fabian Yonge (1896–1962): British diplomat and writer who served in several diplomatic posts abroad.
• Helen Yonge (1890–1971): English suffragist and lecturer who campaigned for women's electoral and property rights in the 1910s and 1920s.
• William Yonge (fl. 1609–1658): English clergyman who wrote several theological treatises in the mid-17th century.

Other surnames

Yong