Surname Yorbrough - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Y'
Yorbrough: What does the surname Yorbrough mean?
The last name Yorbrough is an Americanized version of the German surname "Oberbruch," which itself is a combination of two words – "ober," meaning upper, and "bruch," referring to a creek or river ford. In medieval Germany, some surnames were derived from the location where the original ancestors of a family lived, thus providing evidence of a person's geographic origin. Specifically, the name "Yorbrough" is believed to be indicative of those individuals who were from an area near a river ford or a water crossing.
The surname Yorbrough is found mostly in the United States, largely in the southeastern states of Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Spelling variations include "Yarborough," "Yerborough," and "Yorough."
The meaning of the surname Yorbrough is not necessarily associated with any particular trait or characteristic, but it may be indicative of the approximate location of one's ancestors as well as their skills for forging a path through a body of water. The bearer of the surname may have a somewhat adventurous spirit and a can-do attitude. They may also possess tech savvy, knowledge of water sources, and a certain daring nature to face minor but potentially hazardous environments.
Order DNA origin analysisYorbrough: Where does the name Yorbrough come from?
The last name Yorbrough is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom, but is most commonly found in the United States.
In the United States, the Yorbrough surname can be found in most states, but the most common concentrations are found in the South. This is likely due to the fact that many British settlers and immigrants from the late 17th and early 18th centuries settled in this region.
In 2020, the most common concentration of the Yorbrough surname is in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. In South Carolina, nearly 1800 people are estimated to have the surname, and in North Carolina the surname is estimated to be shared by over 2800 individuals. Georgia also provides a large concentration of Yorbroughs, with researchers consulting the U.S. Census estimating that there are nearly 4200 people with this last name living there.
The Yorbrough name can also be found in states such as Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Beyond this area, the Yorbrough surname is found in smaller concentrations across the United States, with the exception of the Northeast, where it is less common.
The Yorbrough surname is not nearly as common in other countries, although it can be found in the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and various other countries. Regardless of where it is located today, the Yorbrough name is one that is sure to remain in existence for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname Yorbrough
The surname Yorbrough is of English origin, and varies in spelling, variant spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Yorbrough is the most common spelling, but there are several others, such as Yorborough, Yorburgh, Yerby, Yarborough, Yarburough, Yorborogh, Yarbraugh, Yerburgh, Yarbrough, and Yerbarough.
All of these names are derived from the Old English words 'ger' for spear, and 'burgh' or 'burh' meaning fortress. These two words combined to form the word 'gerburh', which then evolved over time into the various Yorbrough spelling and variants.
The Yorbrough surname is associated with the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. The first recorded instance of the name was Roger Yorbrough, who lived in Yorkshire in the 1200s.
Other surnames of similar origin include Yerbury, Yorster, Yorston, Yerburough, Yerberry, Yorbauer, and Yerby.
Some of these names also have Irish origins, such as O’Yarborough, O’Yerbey, O’Yarburrough, and O’Yorburgh. These derive from the Gaelic surname O'Giolla Maithimh, which translates to mean “servant of St. Matthew.”
Although Yorbrough is of English and Gaelic origin, it can also be found in the US, with 12,460 people surnamed Yorbrough living in the Unites States in 2020.
In summary, the Yorbrough surname is of English origin, and includes several variant spellings and similar surnames. It also has Irish origins, although it is more commonly found in the UK and USA.
Famous people with the name Yorbrough
- Christopher Yorbrough: professional basketball player who has played for teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and New Orleans Hornets.
- Santana Yorbrough: an R&B recording artist and producer popular in the Gulf-South region.
- Richard Yorbrough: a jazz musician with several recordings to his name.
- Jessica Yorbrough: singer, songwriter, and actress born in Texas.
- Eli Yorbrough: well known contemporary painter and sculptor.
- Brian Yorbrough: former American stock car racing driver.
- Mitch Yorbrough: former college football player for the University of Texas.
- Billy Yarbrough: former NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Amanda Yorbrough: European lifestyle model.
- John Yarbrough: an American poet and novelist.
- Lance Yorbrough: former NASCAR driver and NASCAR Nationwide Series race winner.
- Reed Yarbrough: writer and poet.
- Clark Yarbrough: former professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles.
- Tanya Yorbrough: jazz vocalist and composer.
- David Yarbrough: award-winning photographer and visual artist.