The surname Yersin has its roots in the French language and is derived from a given name, "Yves". The French form of this name is "Jean-Yves" or simply "Yves", which means "yew tree" in English. This name was popularized by Saint Yves, who lived during the 12th century and served as a bishop in Brittany, France. Over time, the surname has been anglicized to Yersin.
Alexandre Émile Jean-Baptiste Yersin, a renowned microbiologist born in Switzerland, is one notable person who carries this last name. He was a pioneer in the study of bubonic plague and yellow fever.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Yersin
The meaning and origin of the last name Yersin
The surname Yersin originates from the French-speaking region of Switzerland. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French term "ierc," meaning plowman, or from the Middle High German "Ersch" which referred to a farmer or peasant. However, the most notable individual associated with the surname Yersin is not related to farming but to medicine. Alexandre Yersin was a Swiss-born microbiologist who discovered the bacterium that causes bubonic plague in 1894 while working in Hong Kong, contributing significantly to the understanding and control of this devastating disease. This scientific achievement has since become a significant part of the surname's history and legacy.
Geographical distribution of the last name Yersin
The last name Yersin is predominantly found in French-speaking regions, particularly Switzerland and France. A significant number of individuals bearing this surname can be traced back to these countries, where it originated from the town of Yverdon-les-Bains in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Outside Europe, a notable concentration of people with the last name Yersin is found in Vietnam, as a result of Alexander Yersin (Alexandre Yersin), a renowned Swiss microbiologist who worked extensively in Indochina during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Other countries where the last name Yersin has been recorded include Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand, primarily due to diaspora from Europe or descendants of Vietnamese individuals with this surname.
Variants and spellings of the last name Yersin
The surname Yersin has several variations and spellings, providing a fascinating exploration into its origins and evolution over time. Some common spelling variations include Yersen, Yerzin, Yerssen, Yerssin, Yerssin, and Yirsen. These variations often arise due to differences in transcription, regional dialects, or errors during data entry. The name Yersin is of French origin and was initially pronounced as [jɛʁzɑ̃] in modern French. It derives from the Old French "iers" meaning "last year" or "previous," combined with the diminutive suffix "-in." This surname was likely used to denote a person born at the end of a year, symbolizing renewal and fresh beginnings. The original bearers of this name were primarily of French descent. However, over time, as families migrated and integrated into different cultures, variations in spelling became more prevalent.
Famous people with the last name Yersin
Alexandre Yersin, a Swiss microbiologist, is one of the most renowned individuals with the surname Yersin. Born in Switzerland in 1863, he made significant contributions to medical science, particularly in the field of bacteriology. In 1894, he discovered the causative agent of bubonic plague, Yersinia pestis, while working in Hong Kong. Later, he identified Pasteurella haemolytica, now known as Pasteurella multocida. Yersin also played a key role in establishing the Pasteur Institute in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, in 1892, becoming its first director. His work laid the foundation for modern bacteriology research in Southeast Asia. Another notable figure with the surname Yersin is Jacques-Daniel Yersin, a Swiss political scientist and lawyer who served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2010 to 2023. He was known for his work in international law and human rights.
Genealogical research on the last name Yersin
The Yersin family originated from France and has a notable history in the field of microbiology and bacteriology. One of the most prominent members is Alexandre Yersin, born in 1863 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Yersin studied medicine at the University of Lausanne and later at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. In 1894, he discovered the causative agent of bubonic plague, Yersinia pestis, during his research in Hong Kong. Another significant member is Jean-Rodolphe Yersin, Alexandre's brother, who was a botanist and explorer. He led several expeditions in Southeast Asia and made important contributions to the study of tropical flora. The Yersin family has left an indelible mark on science, particularly in understanding infectious diseases.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name "Yeral" is believed to have originated from the Turkish language, specifically from the word "yerel," which means "local" or "region." It is possible that the surname...
The last name "Yerbanga" appears to have its origin in the country of Burkina Faso, which is located in West Africa. Burkina Faso is home to various ethnic groups, and "Yerbanga" i...
The last name Yeremchuk is of Ukrainian origin. It is derived from the given name Yeremey, which is the Ukrainian form of the biblical name Jeremiah. The suffix "-chuk" is a common...
The surname Yerena originates from the Basque region of Spain. It is derived from the Basque word "yer," meaning "meadow" or "field," and the suffix "-ena," denoting "belonging to....
The surname Yeretzian is of Armenian origin. It derives from the Armenian word "yerets" which means "village" or "town." This surname often signifies that the bearer originally cam...
The surname Yergin has roots that can be traced back to various origins due to its adaptations over time and across different cultures. However, one of the most common theories sug...
The last name "Yeriga" is of uncertain origin and does not have a widely known etymology. It could potentially be a surname of Slavic or Eastern European origin.
The last name "Yeris" is of Swiss origin. It is derived from the given name "Joris," which is a variation of the name "George." The surname may have originated from the Swiss regio...
Yeritsyan is an Armenian last name. The suffix "-yan" is a common Armenian surname ending that signifies "son of" or "descendant of." The prefix "Yerits" is less common and its exa...
The origin of the surname Yerka is primarily traced back to Eastern Europe, specifically Poland and Ukraine. It's a variant of the Ukrainian and Polish surname Yaremko or Yerema, w...
The origin of the last name "Yerle" is not clear. It does not have a commonly known geographical or cultural association. It could be a variant or altered spelling of a surname fro...
The last name Yerlett is of Old French origin. It is derived from the personal name Eilard, which was brought to England during the Norman Conquest of 1066. Over time, the name evo...
The last name Yermak is of Russian origin and is derived from a personal name. The name Yermak is believed to have been derived from the Old East Slavic word "yermak," meaning "lam...
The surname Yermakova is of Russian origin. It's derived from a masculine given name Yermak, which is a diminutive form of the name Hermogenes, a Greek name composed of the element...
