Show ContentsYerbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Yerbey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in either the parish or the hamlet called Yarborough in the county of Lincolnshire. The surname Yerbey belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Yerbey family

The surname Yerbey was first found in Lincolnshire at Yarbourgh or Yaburgh, in the hundred of Louth-Eske. The name was listed as Gereburg in the Domesday Book 1 and literally means "the earthwork, or the fortification built of earth" derived from the Old English word "eorth-burgh" 2 "The living [of Yarborough] is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £9. 13. 6.; net income, £226; patron, Nicholas Edmund Yarburgh, Esq., of Heslington Hall, near York, who is lord of the manor, and owner of half the parish." 3

Early History of the Yerbey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yerbey research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1066 is included under the topic Early Yerbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yerbey Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Yerbey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Yerbey include: Yarburgh, Yarborough, Yearbugh, Yerburgh, Yearby and others.

Early Notables of the Yerbey family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Yerbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Yerbey family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Yerbey or a variant listed above: Richard Yarbrough who arrived in Virginia in 1714; John Yerby who settled in Maryland in 1744; John Yarbrough who settled in Nova Scotia in 1749; and Swanson Yarbrough who settled in Texas in 1832..



The Yerbey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Non est sine pulvere palma
Motto Translation: The palm is not obtained without toil.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook