Show ContentsYearby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Yearby

What does the name Yearby mean?

The name Yearby is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in either the parish or the hamlet called Yarborough in the county of Lincolnshire. The surname Yearby 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 Yearby family

The surname Yearby 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 Yearby family

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

Yearby Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Yearby were recorded, including Yarburgh, Yarborough, Yearbugh, Yerburgh, Yearby and others.

Early Notables of the Yearby family

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

Yearby Ranking

In the United States, the name Yearby is the 15,289th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Yearby family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Yearby family emigrate to North America: 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 Yearby 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.
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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