YORK
The surname York is an English locational name that indicates an association with the city of York in North Yorkshire.
Its origin is traditionally tied to the Old English word Eoforwic, the name employed for the city during the Anglo‑Saxon period. The name subsequently appeared in Latin as Eboracum, a form that the Romans used when referring to the town, first recorded around 150 a.d. This Latin form was retained for centuries and occasionally re‑introduced into English usage, as seen in the 12th‑century record of Ernisius de Eboracum.
Historic documents show the surname evolving into its modern spelling. The earliest documented instance of its use as a family name is that of John de York in the Coroner’s Rolls of London, dated 1324. Earlier, a 12th‑century entry lists Agnes de York in the 1379 poll tax rolls, and a 1557 marriage certificate records the union of Guylberte Yorke and Amye Bonde. The name also appears in the 1205 record as Yeorc, part of the city’s transition to its present form.
During the Viking Age, following the capture of the city in 962 a.d., the Norse settlers adapted the name to a variant of Yorvik, a form that ultimately linked back to the Old English name and fostered the modern spelling. The 150 a.d. Latinised form, the 962 a.d. Norse variant, and the 1205 English spelling together illustrate the historical layers that contributed to the surname’s current usage.
The surname York therefore encapsulates a lineage that traces back to a significant urban centre with a Roman foundation, an Anglo‑Saxon heritage, and a Viking influence, reflecting a long‑standing connection to a notable geographical feature in the British Isles.
Typical given names associated with the York surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Joanna
- Julie
- Kimberley
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname York in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 7,202 people named York in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,307th most common surname in Britain. Around 111 in a million people in Britain are named York.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named York
- Princess Beatrice of York - Elder daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York
- Michael York - Actor
- Elizabeth of York - Queen of England (1466 to 1503)
- Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York - Duke of York (1411 to 1460)
- Dick York - American actor (1928 to 1992)
- Margaret of York - Sister of Edward IV of England, consort of Charles, Duke of Burgundy (1446 to 1503)
- Anne of York - Fifth daughter of King Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville (1475 to 1511)
- Cecily of York - Princess (1469 to 1507)
- Anne of York, Duchess of Exeter - Elder sister of King Edward IV of England (1439 to 1476)
- Catherine of York - Princess (1479 to 1527)
- Pete York - Musician
- Philippa York - Scottish sport cyclist
- Mary of York - Princess (1467 to 1482)
- Margaret of York - Daughter of Edward IV (1472 to 1472)
- Bridget of York - Nun (1480 to 1)
- Chris York - Rugby union player
- Lisa York - Actress
- Christopher York - Politician (1909 to 1999)
- Lisa York - Long-distance runner
- Richard York - Football player (1899 to 1969)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.