Surname Yarbrey - Meaning and Origin
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Yarbrey: What does the surname Yarbrey mean?
The last name Yarbrey originates from the Saxon culture and is believed to mean "seaman". The family originating from the surname was believed to have had connections to a waterway, or river, and may be associated with fishing or some other form of seafaring profession. The family may have either been riverboat men, sailors, or fishermen. It is believed that this profession had been carried on through the generations and thus the last name was born.
The name is derived from Yare, which is the northern English and Scottish form of the word “are” that translates as, “river.” Yarbrey shares a similar sound with the Old English surname, Yarbrough, which may have been derived from the personal name Eadbeorht or a variant of Edgar.
The surname is rare and is not found much in records. When it is present, it is found mainly in the regions of England and Scotland where it originated. The surname is sometimes found in other nations, but it is quite uncommon.
It is believed that those bearing the Yarbrey name have strong roots to the water, seafaring, and the area in which it originated. The surname has carried on through the generations and has been a distinguishing feature for many of those carrying the Yarbrey name.
Order DNA origin analysisYarbrey: Where does the name Yarbrey come from?
The last name Yarbrey is primarily associated with areas in the United States, primarily in the south and southwest regions. It is currently a popular last name throughout Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. In terms of ancestry, the Yarbrey surname is primarily a derivative of the given name Yarborough, a name that may have originated from the Teutonic personal name Herebereht, meaning “bright army”.
The surname can be found among several races, including African American, Caucasian, and Native American roots. However, it is most associated with African-American families, particularly those with communities in the Mississippi Delta region. Additionally, Yarbrey is found in Oregon, California, New York, Colorado, and other states where members of the African-American diaspora have settled.
Though its exact origins are unknown, it is believed that the Yarbrey last name first appeared in the United States sometime around the turn of the 20th Century. It is likely that it was brought to the US by immigrants from the Caribbean. Over time, the name has accumulated variations such as Yarber, Yarborough, and Yarbore, all of which have persisted in some form or another into the present day.
Despite its relative obscurity compared to more common surnames, the Yarbrey last name is still fairly prevalent in the south and can be found in various parts of the United States.
Variations of the surname Yarbrey
The surname Yarbrey is thought to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘geirbeorht’, which has been interpreted to mean ‘Bright orfamous spear’. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place name found near the area of Worcestershire in England. The variants and spellings of the surname Yarbrey includes Yarbery, Yerbery, Yarburry, Yarbarry, Yerbarry, Yearbury, Yarbrery, Jerbarry, Yarbreigh, Yarbreighy and Yerbrery. Surnames of the same origin include Yerburgh, Yerby, Yarborough, Yarbroth, Yerbroth, Yerboro, Yerbery, Yerburry, Yerbarry and Yerberry.
Yarbery is the most common spelling of the surname, and it is believed to have been the original spelling of the name. It’s also worth noting that the name is not exclusive to England, and is found in small numbers in other countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Yarbrey family have a long and distinguished history. It is believed that the Yarbrey family originally came from a Norman noble named William Yarbrey, who was granted the manor of Kingston by Earl Hurry of Worcester. This suggests that the Yarbrey family were of Norman origins and were likely part of the early aristocracy of England.
Although the origin of the surname Yarbrey is uncertain, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that it is Anglo-Saxon in origin, with variants and spellings from other countries. It is interesting to note that the surname has remained unchanged over the centuries, despite being found in other countries.
Famous people with the name Yarbrey
- Jacqueline Yarbrey: American actress, known for All My Children, One Life to Live and As the World Turns.
- Aaron Yarbrey: former Major League Baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Tiana Yarbrough: American basketball player who played for the Atlanta Dream in the Women's National Basketball Association.
- John Yarbrough: American actor and writer, who is best known for his role as Dr. Bernard Fagin on Guiding Light.
- Louis T Yarbrey Jr.: Retired United States Navy Rear Admiral who served as the Commander, United States Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic (1995: 1997).
- Roger Yarbrey: American politician who served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1992 to 2003.
- J.T. Yarbrey: American football coach who served as the head coach of the NCAA Division III Shenandoah Hornets from 2004 to 2010.
- Robert F. Yarbrey Jr.: American politician who served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1977 to 1984.
- Ruby Yarbrey: American singer and songwriter who released her debut EP titled "The Listening Party" in 2012.
- James Yarbrey: American screenwriter and producer who wrote and produced the film Reunion in 2017.