Yeards History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Yeards is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in Devon. Their name, however, refers to the Old English word yarde, meaning an area of thirty acres, and indicates that the family once lived on such a piece of land. 1

Early Origins of the Yeards family

The surname Yeards was first found in Devon where "amongst the ancient Devonshire gentle families that still linger in the county are those of Yarde. The Yards of Bradley in High Week were considered an ancient family 250 years ago. The Yardes of the Whiteway estate in Kingsteignton, and of Culver House, Chudleigh, belong to one of the most ancient of Devon families (Jones' "Chudleigh")." 2

Early rolls included a wide variety of spellings that for the most part have fallen out of favor. The "Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I." include a listing for John de la Yhurde, Southamptonshire, Henry III-Edward I. The Close Rolls listed William de la Yerd, 2 Edward I and William atte Yurd, 17 Edward III. 3

In Somerset, Hugh atte Yeurd and Walter atte Yurd, were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edwrad III's reign.) 4

Early History of the Yeards family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yeards research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1638, 1669, 1685, 1695, 1698, 1702, 1703, 1735, 1740, 1749, 1767, 1773, 1799, 1800, 1833, 1858, 1871 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Yeards History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yeards 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 Yeards 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 Yeards include: Yard, Yarde, Yeard, Yeards and others.

Early Notables of the Yeards family

Notables of the family at this time include Edward Yarde (1669-1735), of Churston Court in the parish of Churston Ferrers in Devon. He was a Member of Parliament for Totnes in Devon 1695-1698 and the eldest son and heir of Edward Yarde (1638-1703) of Churston Court, MP for Ashburton in 1685. Edward's fifth son, Francis Yarde c. (1703-1749), married his cousin Elizabeth Northleigh, by whom he had a daughter and sole heiress Susanna Yarde (born 1740), who became (in her issue)...
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Yeards Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Yeards 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 Yeards or a variant listed above: William Yard settled in Virginia in 1635; Susan Yard settled in Virginia in 1654; Thomas Yard settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767; John Yard settled in Ferryland in Newfoundland in 1675.

The Yeards 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: Facta non verba
Motto Translation: Deeds not words.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.