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

Yarrow, 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 Yarrow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yarrow in America

Yarrow is the 42163rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yarrow surname appeared 515 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 Yarrow.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yarrow 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 Yarrow

The surname Yarrow originates from the British Isles, particularly Scotland and northern England. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English word gearwe or the Scottish Gaelic gearra, which both refer to the yarrow plant, a herb renowned for its medicinal properties. The yarrow plant was commonly found in the regions where the surname first appeared, hence the connection to the land and nature.

In early historical references, the name Yarrow appears in various forms, including Yarwe, Yarow, and Yharowe. One of the earliest mentions of the surname is found in medieval Scottish records. Specifically, Yarrow was recorded as a surname in the ancient Scottish county of Selkirkshire, known for its picturesque Yarrow Valley. A reference to the name can be found in the 13th century with Robert de Yarrow, who was a notable landowner in Selkirkshire around the year 1280.

One prominent historical figure with the surname Yarrow is John Yarrow, an English MP who represented Carlisle in 1384. Another notable bearer of the name is Thomas Yarrow, who was a victualler and ship owner operating in London in the early 17th century. His contributions to maritime trade during the late 1500s and early 1600s were well-documented, particularly in shipping logs of the period.

In the 19th century, the surname was carried by William Yarrow, an accomplished botanist born in 1829. He made significant contributions to the study of British flora before his death in 1896. His works are referenced in various botanical archives and journals of the time.

Another figure in more recent history is Sir Maurice Yarrow, born in 1850, a renowned philanthropist and businessman who made substantial donations to educational and medical institutions before his death in 1924. His philanthropic endeavors were highlighted in British newspapers and journals.

Additionally, Lucy Yarrow, born in 1781, was an influential social reformer known for her advocacy in improving conditions for the poor and the working class. Her efforts in the early 19th century were instrumental in effecting social change in industrial Britain.

The Yarrow surname has often been associated with the natural world and pastoral settings, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the regions from which it originated. Over the centuries, it has become an enduring symbol of heritage and connection to the land.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yarrow

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

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 Yarrow 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 Yarrow 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 Yarrow was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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