Find out how popular the last name Yarrell is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Yarrell.

Yarrell, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Yarrell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yarrell in America

Yarrell is the 73215th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yarrell surname appeared 265 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Yarrell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yarrell to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Yarrell

The surname Yarrell finds its roots in medieval England. It is thought to have originated in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the north of England. The name seems to be a variation of the Old English word "geriol" or "geriel", which means "spring" or "fertile land". This makes it likely that the surname was initially used to describe someone who lived near or was associated with fertile land or a spring.

The first recorded appearance of the surname Yarrell can be traced back to the late 14th century. Medieval manuscripts and parish registers from this period show various spellings of the name, such as "Yarwell" and "Yarrowell". The variations in spelling were common due to the lack of standardized spelling rules at the time. One of the earliest documented instances is from a Yorkshire parish register dated 1386, listing a Robert Yarrell as a landholder.

A key historical figure bearing this surname is William Yarrell, born in 1784 and who lived until 1856. He was a prominent English zoologist, naturalist, and author of "The History of British Birds" and "A History of British Fishes", works that were highly influential in 19th-century natural history. His contributions to ornithology and ichthyology remain significant.

The surname Yarrell also appears in the Hearth Tax records of 1662. These records list a Thomas Yarrell residing in Lancashire and paying tax on two hearths. This suggests that the Yarrell family had established themselves firmly within the landed gentry by this time.

Another notable individual is Lieutenant Philip Yarrell, a naval officer who served in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1771, his career largely centered around maritime engagements and intelligence missions. He died in 1820, leaving behind a legacy of naval success and bravery.

By the 18th century, the Yarrell surname had spread to other parts of England. The Wills and Probate records from the early 1700s record the will of a Mary Yarrell in Kent, dated 1723. This indicates the surname's expansion beyond its initial northern roots.

In the 19th century, John Yarrell, born in 1817, emerged as a political figure, serving as a Member of Parliament for a short period. Though not widely famous, his participation in the political landscape of England during the Victorian era is worthy of note.

Records from the British Museum also mention a scholar, Richard Yarrell, who contributed to the institution's collection of ancient manuscripts in the mid-1800s. His academic pursuits and dedication to preserving historical documents have left an indelible mark on the archives.

The surname Yarrell encapsulates a rich history, deeply entrenched in English cultural and natural heritage. The origin reveals its connection to the land, and its bearers have contributed significantly to various fields over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yarrell

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Yarrell.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Yarrell was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Yarrell has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Yarrell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yarrell, please contact us.

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