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

Yearsley, 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 Yearsley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yearsley in America

Yearsley is the 32302nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yearsley surname appeared 713 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 Yearsley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yearsley 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 Yearsley

The surname Yearsley is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is locational, deriving from a place in Northern England, specifically in Yorkshire. The original form of this place name is thought to be Earsley or Yearsley, a small hamlet near the town of Easingwold. The name Yearsley likely originated as "Earsig's Leah," where "leah" is an Old English term meaning "clearing" or "meadow," and "Earsig" would have been a personal name.

Historical references to the surname Yearsley are sparse but can be identified in several medieval documents. The earliest known record of the name is in the Poll Tax returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where a Richard de Yearsley is mentioned. This demonstrates that the surname was already in use during the late 14th century and tied to the geographic location of Yearsley in Yorkshire.

The spelling variations of Yearsley have appeared throughout history in numerous records and include Yeresley, Yerresley, and Yaresley. In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, various references to the surname appear in parish registers and local documents. One notable bearer was John Yearsley, recorded in church records in 1606 in Yorkshire. Another early example is William Yearsley, mentioned in a 1621 lease agreement in York.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Yearsley continued to be used by various individuals. One prominent figure was Ann Yearsley (1753–1806), an English poet and writer. She was known for her works that highlighted social issues and for being an accomplished poet despite her humble beginnings as a milkmaid. Her literary achievements brought some attention to the surname during the 18th century.

In the 19th century, the surname Yearsley appeared in different parts of England. George Yearsley, born in 1818, was a notable resident in Lancashire and had a distinguished career as a local architect and builder. His work mainly focused on the industrial development during the Victorian era.

Another significant person was John Thomas Yearsley, born in 1839. He was a renowned surgeon and author of medical texts, known for his contributions to otology—the branch of medicine that deals with the ear. His publications in the late 19th century brought further recognition to the surname Yearsley in academic and medical circles.

Henry Yearsley, born in 1865, was a musician and conductor who contributed to the world of classical music in England. His performances and compositions added cultural richness to the surname, linking it to artistic and creative endeavors during the turn of the 20th century.

The historical narrative of the surname Yearsley reflects its medieval English roots and geographical association with Yorkshire. Through individuals who carried the name across centuries, the surname has walked through history, leaving marks in literary, medical, architectural, and musical fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yearsley

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

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

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

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