Yearsley (surname)

The surname Yearsley is an English surname of locative origin, derived from a place name. It is believed to originate from a village called Yearsley in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England. The place name "Yearsley" is itself thought to be derived from Old English, potentially a combination of "gear" (meaning a weir or fish trap) and "leah" (meaning a woodland clearing or glade), indicating a clearing with a fish trap.

The surname would have originally been adopted by someone who lived in or near Yearsley, or perhaps someone who migrated from Yearsley to another area. As with many surnames derived from place names, variations in spelling are common, and can include Yerseley, Yarsley, and possibly others.

Records of the surname Yearsley can be found in historical documents such as parish registers, census records, and wills. The distribution of the surname is concentrated in areas of England with a notable presence also in countries with significant English diaspora populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The surname Yearsley, like many surnames, provides a glimpse into the history of family origins and migration patterns within England and beyond. Further research into specific family lines bearing the Yearsley surname can be conducted through genealogical resources.