NameCensus.

UK surname

Yarnold

A surname denoting someone who worked with or sold yarn.

In the 1881 census there were 384 people recorded with the Yarnold surname, ranking it #8,195 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 582, ranked #8,913, down from #8,195 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, London parishes and Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Malvern Hills, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yarnold is 657 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 51.6%.

1881 census count

384

Ranked #8,195

Modern count

582

2016, ranked #8,913

Peak year

1911

657 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Yarnold had 384 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,195 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 582 in 2016, ranked #8,913.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 657 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Yarnold surname distribution map

The map shows where the Yarnold surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Yarnold surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yarnold over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 283 #7,996
1861 historical 310 #8,175
1881 historical 384 #8,195
1891 historical 433 #8,301
1901 historical 525 #7,771
1911 historical 657 #6,393
1997 modern 560 #8,551
1998 modern 597 #8,422
1999 modern 597 #8,469
2000 modern 593 #8,486
2001 modern 584 #8,445
2002 modern 607 #8,387
2003 modern 591 #8,428
2004 modern 578 #8,559
2005 modern 564 #8,641
2006 modern 563 #8,677
2007 modern 561 #8,766
2008 modern 562 #8,812
2009 modern 569 #8,929
2010 modern 576 #9,036
2011 modern 591 #8,793
2012 modern 577 #8,862
2013 modern 586 #8,883
2014 modern 592 #8,900
2015 modern 595 #8,786
2016 modern 582 #8,913

Geography

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Where Yarnolds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, London parishes, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood, St Pancras and Kings Norton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Malvern Hills, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Sandwell and Wychavon. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood Nottinghamshire
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Kings Norton Worcestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Malvern Hills 001 Malvern Hills
2 Herefordshire 005 Herefordshire, County of
3 Shropshire 039 Shropshire
4 Sandwell 001 Sandwell
5 Wychavon 009 Wychavon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yarnold

These lists show first names that appear often with the Yarnold surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Yarnold

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Yarnold, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Yarnold surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Yarnold household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Yarnold is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Yarnold is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Yarnold falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Yarnold is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Yarnold, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Yarnold

The surname Yarnold is of English origin and appears to date back to the medieval period. The name is primarily found in the West Midlands and has its roots in Worcestershire. The earliest forms of this surname can be traced back to the old English words "earn," meaning eagle, and "hyll," meaning hill. Over time, variations of the name have appeared, including Yarnall, Yarnald, and even Earnold in older documents.

One of the earliest mentions of the surname Yarnold appears in the Worcestershire Subsidy Rolls of 1275, where a Richard Yarnald is listed as a taxpayer. This indicates that the name was established in the region by the late 13th century. Another early mention can be found in the Feet of Fines for Staffordshire in 1353, listing a Thomas Yarnall, providing insight into the proliferation of the name across counties.

In historical records, John Yarnold, born circa 1505, is noted as a landowner in Worcestershire, underscoring the local prominence of the family in the 16th century. This lineage continues with Richard Yarnold, born in 1630, who fought in the English Civil War, exemplifying the family's involvement in significant historical events.

Moving forward, Samuel Yarnold, an 18th-century figure, born in 1724, is recorded in parish documents as a respected blacksmith in Birmingham, contributing to the industrial heritage of the area. His craftsmanship and reputation in his trade were well regarded, and he is noted in local histories of the time.

In the 19th century, Sarah Yarnold, born in 1842, became a notable figure for her involvement in social reform movements in London. Her advocacy for women's rights and efforts to improve living conditions for the working class highlight the broad contributions of individuals bearing the Yarnold surname.

From these examples, it is clear that the Yarnold surname has a rich history, with its bearers making significant contributions in various fields over the centuries. The name's origins in the West Midlands and the evolution of its spelling over time provide a fascinating glimpse into the linguistic and social history of the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Yarnold families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Yarnold surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Worcestershire leads with 183 Yarnolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.41x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 183 37.41x
Middlesex 39 1.04x
Nottinghamshire 29 5.74x
Surrey 18 0.99x
Staffordshire 16 1.27x
Warwickshire 13 1.38x
Derbyshire 12 2.05x
Gloucestershire 10 1.36x
Lancashire 10 0.23x
Monmouthshire 8 2.95x
Herefordshire 7 4.56x
Kent 7 0.55x
Northamptonshire 7 1.99x
Shropshire 7 2.16x
Wiltshire 4 1.21x
Durham 2 0.18x
Hampshire 2 0.26x
Yorkshire 2 0.05x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.44x
Cheshire 1 0.12x
Devon 1 0.13x
Essex 1 0.14x
Glamorgan 1 0.15x
Lincolnshire 1 0.17x
Perthshire 1 0.59x
Somerset 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pensax in Worcestershire leads with 20 Yarnolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 3278.69x.

Place Total Index
Pensax 20 3278.69x
Worcester St Peter 19 205.18x
Bromsgrove 17 103.28x
Sutton In Ashfield 17 155.11x
Worcester St Andrew 12 727.27x
Evesham St Lawrence 11 423.08x
Worcester All Sts 11 388.69x
Derby St Alkmund 10 56.88x
Nottingham St Mary 10 7.66x
Rowley Regis 10 28.38x
Kensington London 9 4.32x
Kidderminster Borough 9 31.44x
Lambeth 9 2.76x
Leigh 9 151.52x
Lindridge 9 725.81x
Aston 8 3.08x
Clifton Upon Teme 8 1379.31x
Grimley 8 869.57x
Knighton On Teme 8 2424.24x
Blisworth 7 514.71x
Halesowen 6 139.86x
St Pancras London 6 1.99x
Worcester St Clement 6 192.93x
Wrockwardine 6 84.27x
Abergavenny 5 49.31x
Cradley 5 113.12x
Hartlebury 5 171.82x
Newington 5 3.61x
Wotton St Mary 5 131.23x
Barrow In Furness 4 6.62x
Clerkenwell London 4 4.52x
Ewyas Harold 4 571.43x
Islington London 4 1.10x
Paddington London 4 2.90x
St Lawrence 4 45.51x
Tipton 4 10.33x
Westminster St John 4 8.77x
Llanvihangel Pontymoile 3 625.00x
Preshute 3 147.06x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 3.98x
St Marylebone London 3 1.50x
Sutton Coldfield 3 30.21x
Abberley 2 256.41x
Chadderton 2 9.20x
Chaddesley Corbett 2 109.29x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 2.83x
Enville 2 202.02x
Hereford St Nicholas 2 95.69x
Kimberworth 2 9.71x
Leigh 2 465.12x
St Clement Danes 2 33.00x
Wingate 2 26.18x
Worcester St John 2 34.25x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 2.99x
Birmingham 1 0.32x
Blairgowrie 1 15.04x
Bockleton 1 357.14x
Chippenham 1 14.39x
Church Stretton 1 46.08x
Churchill 1 322.58x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.01x
Derby St Werburgh 1 2.95x
Fenny Stratford 1 46.73x
Formby 1 19.88x
Hornsey 1 2.11x
Hucknall Torkard 1 7.81x
Ledbury 1 18.98x
Martley 1 71.43x
Minster In Sheppey 1 4.72x
Ramsgate 1 4.79x
Rayne 1 192.31x
Rochford 1 243.90x
Shelsley Kings 1 277.78x
Shirland 1 22.78x
St George Hanover 1 2.05x
Stoke Damerel 1 1.83x
Suckley 1 125.00x
Tenbury 1 37.31x
Westminster St 1 7.24x
Wotton Under Edge 1 23.09x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Yarnold surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Yarnold surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 32
Henry 20
George 15
James 13
John 12
Thomas 10
Samuel 9
Charles 8
Edwin 8
Joseph 8
Arthur 6
Alfred 5
Edward 5
Albert 3
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Thos. 3
Benjamin 2
Earnest 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Harold 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Anthony 1
Auther 1
Chrisopher 1
Dennis 1
Elias 1
Emmanuel 1
Francis 1
Fras 1
Geo.W. 1
H. 1
Harper 1
Humphrey 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Luke 1
Samson 1
Soloman 1
Solomon 1
Victor 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Yarnold surname: questions and answers

How common was the Yarnold surname in 1881?

In 1881, 384 people were recorded with the Yarnold surname. That placed it at #8,195 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Yarnold surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 582 in 2016. That gives Yarnold a modern rank of #8,913.

What does the Yarnold surname mean?

A surname denoting someone who worked with or sold yarn.

What does the Yarnold map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Yarnold bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.