Young History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Young

What does the name Young mean?

The name Young has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a person who was very young, from the Old English word yong and yung and was first bestowed on the younger of two bearers of the same personal name, usually a son who was named for his father.

Early Origins of the Young family

The surname Young was first found in Essex, where the first record of the name appears in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as Wilfer seo lunga in 744. Many years later Walter Yonge was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 1

Another reference lists Hugh le Yunge in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as residing in Oxfordshire. The same rolls list Ralph le Younge in Staffordshire and later William le Yunge in Northumberland during the reign of Edward I. 2

Down in Devon, Honiton was “for a long period it was very much of a family borough. Members of the Yonge family sat almost continuously from 1640 to 1796.” 3

Young Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Young have been found, including Young, Younge, Yonge, Youngson and others.

Early Notables of the Young family

Distinguished members of the family include

• Thomas Yonge (1405?-1476), was an English judge, born about 1405, the elder son of Thomas Yonge (d. 1426), who was Mayor of Bristol in 1411, and represented Bristol in parliament in 1413-1414. His you…

Young World Ranking

In the United Kingdom, the name Young is the 40^th most popular surname with an estimated 91,634 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Young is ranked the 16^th most popular surname with an estimated 54,684 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Young is the 9^th popular surname with an estimated 6,887 people with that name. 6 Canada ranks Young as 24^th with 53,994 people. 7 Quebec, Canada ranks Young as 710^th. 8 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Young as 10^th with 1,003 people. 9 The United States ranks Young as 28^th with 479,991 people. 10 South Africa ranks Young as 710^th with 9,604 people. 11

 Migration of the Young family to Ireland

Some of the Young family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 121 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Young migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Young Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Young, English convict who was convicted in Northumberland, England for life, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
• Mr. John Young, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
• Mr. William Young, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Young Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. William Young, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
• Mr. William Young, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the “Earl Spencer” in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
• Mr. George Young, English convict who was convicted in Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the “Baring” in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
• Mr. William Young, (b. 1797), aged 19, English convict who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Elizabeth” in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1886 16
• Mr. Joseph Young, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Eliza” on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17