Yerkes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Yerkes family
The surname Yerkes was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1379 when Johannes Yarker held estates in that shire.
Early History of the Yerkes family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yerkes research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Yerkes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Yerkes Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Yarker, Yorker, Yearker, Yerker and others.
Early Notables of the Yerkes family
More information is included under the topic Early Yerkes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Yerkes Ranking
In the United States, the name Yerkes is the 13,366th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
Migration of the Yerkes family
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Yarke, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; ??? Yarker, who arrived in Quebec in 1814; William Yarker, who was recorded in the census of Ontario of 1871.
Contemporary Notables of the name Yerkes (post 1700) +
- Steve Yerkes (1888-1971), American baseball player
- Robert Yerkes (1876-1956), American psychologist, ethologist, and primatologist
- Charles Tyson Yerkes (1837-1905), American railway financier
- Silas Allen Yerkes (1834-1865), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State Board of Agriculture, 1861 2
- Robert H. Yerkes, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Delaware, 1952, 1956 2
- Robert G. Yerkes, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 17th District, 1932 2
- Joseph Ball Yerkes (b. 1839), American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1873-76 2
- John W. Yerkes, American Republican politician, Member of Republican National Committee from Kentucky, 1896-1904; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1896 (speaker) 2
- Harman Yerkes, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate, 1874-78 2
- George B. Yerkes, American Republican politician, Member of Michigan Republican State Central Committee, 1915 2
- ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
The Yerkes 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: La fin couronne les oeuvres
Motto Translation: The end crowns the works.
Citations +