Map of England showing where the Yarborough arms are recorded
The Yarborough arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Yarborough arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Yarborough Family in England
The surname Yarborough originates from the historic county of Lincolnshire in England. The name is locational, meaning it was derived from a specific place name rather than an occupation or a personal nickname. It is composed of the Old English word "eorpe," which refers to earth or soil, and "burh," which denotes a fortified settlement or town. By 1620, families carrying this name were well-established within the Lincolnshire region, where they were often involved in local land management and community leadership. Over time, the spelling evolved from earlier variations like Yarburgh, reflecting the way local dialects and record-keeping practices changed throughout the seventeenth century. The family remained deeply connected to the geography of Northern England, and their presence in historical documents from this era highlights their long-standing roots in the rural landscape of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Yarburgh
A fortified place or earthwork located near a river bank.
This name
YarboroughDerived from a place name in Lincolnshire, signifying a settlement situated by a defensive embankment.
also spelled
Yarburgh
Yarborow
Yarborowe
Related arms
Yarburghsimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
