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

Yarbrough, 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 Yarbrough surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yarbrough in America

Yarbrough is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yarbrough surname appeared 107 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 Yarbrough.

The history of the last name Yarbrough

The surname Yharbrough has its origins in England, primarily deriving from the Old English place name Eoforwic, which transformed over centuries into York. Yharbrough is a variant spelling of the more commonly known Yarbrough or Yarborough, which originates from a habitational name. These names are typically associated with villages in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, where the original inhabitants resided near or worked lands designated as deer parks or hunting grounds.

The surname can be traced back as early as the medieval period. It is derived from Old English elements "eofor," meaning boar, and "burh," meaning fortress or town, indicating a fortification or settlement associated with wild boar. This etymology signifies that the families bearing this name likely lived by or had some jurisdiction over such an area. Historical references to similar names have appeared in early records such as the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror.

The records indicate that the name Yarbrough, and its variants, were present in England by the 13th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1273, attesting to one Geoffrey de Yarborough. The naming pattern followed from there, indicating people linked to the particular settlements or landscapes that formed the basis of their surnames.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne this surname. Ralph Yarborough (1903-1996), an influential U.S. Senator from Texas, played a significant role in American legislation during the mid-20th century. William Yarbrough (b. 1989), an American professional soccer player, has also carried the surname into contemporary recognition in sports. In the literary world, a prominent example includes Robert W. Yarbrough, a renowned theologian and author born in the 20th century, who contributed significantly to New Testament scholarship. Nathaniel Yarborough, a significant figure in the American education system of the 19th century, helped shape early public schooling.

Additionally, the lineage of Major General William Yarborough (1912-2005), considered the father of modern U.S. Army Special Forces, exemplifies the surname's connection to military leadership. These individuals exemplify the diverse arenas – from politics and sports to academics and military – in which the surname Yharbrough and its variants have left their mark across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yarbrough

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

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 Yarbrough 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.

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

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

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