Yarborough
A locational surname from a Lincolnshire place-name, probably meaning “earth-fortification” or “yard/settlement by the fort.”
The #5,119 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 45,145 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Yarborough is an English habitational surname from the place-name Yarborough in Lincolnshire, with older spellings such as Yerdbergh, Yerdeburgh, and Yerburgh. The name was explained in 19th-century sources as either from Old English elements meaning “earth” plus “fortification,” or as related to a “yard/enclosure” type place-name. In either case, it is a local surname originally given to people who came from that place.
History
The surname is recorded in medieval forms in Lincolnshire and later spread as families moved away from the original locality. It became best known through the Anderson-Pelham family, whose title Earl of Yarborough helped keep the name prominent in British public life. Spellings varied widely for centuries, with Yarborough, Yarburgh, Yerburgh, and related forms all appearing.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The title Earl of Yarborough is connected with the Lincolnshire place-name, even though the family’s surname later became Anderson-Pelham.
From the historical record
“YARBORO YARBOROUGH YARBROUGH YARBURY YARDLEY (Eng,)'Bel. to Yardley ; or Dweller at thfe Yard-Lea [M.E. yard{e, yerd(e, enclosure, court, garden ; O.E. g{e)ard, fence, enclosure + M.E. ley, O.E. ledh, meadow] The Wore. Yardley was Yerdeley, i4t,h-”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)