Yarrow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Yarrow family
The surname Yarrow was first found in Selkirkshire, now a historic county and registration county of Scotland. Yarrow, a place "of considerable antiquity, was originally designated as the parish of St. Mary; its present name was acquired from the removal of the church to the banks of the river Yarrow, about the middle of the 17th century, since which time the parish has invariably retained the name of that river. The surrounding district formed part of the royal forest of Ettrick, and in the reign of Bruce was recovered from the English by Sir James Douglas, upon whom, as a reward for his fidelity, that monarch conferred the lands, which at the same time he erected into a free royalty. " 1
The name "Yarrow" is derived from garw which is derived from the Celtic and Irish word garbh meaning "rough" or "turbulent" river. 2
Further to the south in England, Jarrow is a parish, partly in the union of Gateshead, and partly in that of South Shields, of the county of Durham. 3 4
The name was first recorded in Yarrowhall, near Hexham.
Early History of the Yarrow family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yarrow research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1561 and 1603 are included under the topic Early Yarrow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Yarrow Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Yarrow, Yarro, Yarroe, Yarrowe, Yarrowhall and others.
Early Notables of the Yarrow family
Notable amongst the family name during their early history was
- the Yarrow family or grayne of the Border
Yarrow migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Yarrow Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Andrew Yarrow, whose Oath of Allegiance was recorded in Philadelphia in 1859
Yarrow migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Yarrow Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
- Francis Yarrow, one of the settlers who came with Governor Cornwallis to Chebucto, Nova Scotia, in 1749
- Francis Yarrow, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Yarrow migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Yarrow Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- John Yarrow, aged 14, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "James Jardine"
- Kizzey Yarrow, aged 16, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "James Jardine"
Contemporary Notables of the name Yarrow (post 1700) +
- Peter Yarrow (b. 1938), American folksinger and guitar player, member of "Peter, Paul and Mary"
- Bethany Yarrow, singer, songwriter, arranger, producer
- Sir Alfred Yarrow (1842-1932), English shipbuilder, philanthropist, 1st Baronet
- John Yarrow (1817-1898), poet, orator and painter
Historic Events for the Yarrow family +
- Mr. Peter M Yarrow (b. 1921), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from How Green, Hever, Kent, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 5
Citations +
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
- H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm