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

Yarwood, 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 Yarwood surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yarwood in America

Yarwood is the 44109th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yarwood surname appeared 488 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 Yarwood.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yarwood 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 Yarwood

The surname Yarwood has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. This name is particularly associated with the counties of Cheshire and Staffordshire. The name Yarwood is of locational origin, derived from a place called Yarwood in Cheshire, which is thought to have meant "the wood where the yarrow grows," with "yarrow" being a type of herb, and "wood" indicating a wooded area.

The Old English words that might have contributed to this surname include "gearwe," meaning yarrow, and "wudu," meaning wood. These elements hint at a geographic feature or a landscape where yarrow plants were prevalent. Variant spellings in earlier records, such as Yerwood or Yarwode, can be found, illustrating the evolving nature of surnames over time.

Yarwood made its first significant appearance in written records during the Middle Ages. One of the earliest mentions is in the Domesday Book of 1086, a vast survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This book provides a snapshot of the landholdings and resources and includes places that likely influenced the formation of surnames in the region.

Among the earliest recorded bearers of the surname is John de Yarwode, who is noted in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire in 1286. His name denotes his origin from the area bearing the same name. Over time, several families adopted the surname, many of whom remained concentrated in the Cheshire area.

Noteworthy individuals with the surname Yarwood include Arthur Yarwood (1858-1924), a British local historian and collector of antiquities, notable for his contributions to preserving the history of the Cheshire region. Another prominent figure is John Yarwood (1912-1989), a renowned British physicist whose work in fluid dynamics significantly impacted engineering and science.

In the realm of entertainment, the name Yarwood was popularized by Mike Yarwood (b. 1941), a well-known English comedian and impressionist who was highly influential during the 1960s and 1970s. His television presence brought the surname into broader public awareness.

Another historical figure is William Yarwood, who in the early 20th century contributed to the industrial development of the British railway system. His work as an engineer helped enhance the efficiency of rail transportation during a crucial period of growth.

Lastly, Edith Yarwood, a social reformer and advocate in early 20th-century Britain, made strides in championing women's rights and improving social conditions, leaving a legacy of activism that enriched the communities she served.

The surname Yarwood encapsulates a rich heritage linked to the English landscape and its historical development, carried by individuals who have left their mark across various fields through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yarwood

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

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

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

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