Last Name Young

The surname Young has Old English origins. It is derived from the Middle English word "yunge," which means "young." It was often used as a nickname for someone who was young at the time their family name was created or adopted. Alternatively, it could have been used to differentiate between generations of the same family. The spelling variations of this surname include Young, Yong, and Jonge.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Young

The meaning and origin of the last name Young

The surname "Young" is an anglicized version of several Old English and Norse given names, which primarily meant 'young' or 'youth'. The earliest recorded usage dates back to medieval England, where it was used as a patronymic to denote sonship from various given names ending in the element 'ing', such as Eadwing, meaning "wealthy friend", or Sigurðr, meaning "victorious protector". Over time, "Young" became an independent surname, passed down through generations, and was later carried by immigrants to the British colonies. It is now one of the most common surnames in English-speaking countries, with notable bearers including actors Michael Caine and Ewan McGregor, as well as inventor Thomas Young and poet Algernon Charles Swinburne.

Geographical distribution of the last name Young

The surname Young is of English origin and has been widely distributed across various regions due to migration patterns throughout history. Historically, it was most prevalent in England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire. However, with the colonization of North America by English settlers, the name spread across the United States, with significant concentrations in states like Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is also common in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa as a result of British immigration waves. In recent years, the distribution of the surname Young has expanded globally due to migration and assimilation, with notable populations found in countries such as Ireland, Scotland, and parts of continental Europe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Young

The surname Young has various spellings and variations, most notably: Young, Yong, and Yang. The spelling differences arise from different regional pronunciations and historical transcriptions. For example, "Yong" is more common in some parts of Scotland, while "Yang" is predominantly found in East Asia as it's a common surname there. Similarly, the name can also be found as "Younges," "Youngs," or "Youngsse." The Americanized version often includes an apostrophe (e.g., Young's). Additionally, the name may have variations due to phonetic changes over time, such as Anglicized spellings from Gaelic or other languages. It's important to note that these variations might not necessarily indicate a relation between individuals bearing them.

Famous people with the last name Young

Notable individuals with the surname Young include Neil Percival Young (born 1945), a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation and known for hits like "Heart of Gold" and "Old Man". Additionally, Alphonso David Young Jr. (1970–2021) was an American civil rights attorney and executive, who served as the president of the Human Rights Campaign from 2019 until his passing. In sports, Wayne Gretzky (born 1961), often called "The Great One," is a Canadian former ice hockey player, widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, having set numerous career records in the National Hockey League. Last

Genealogical research on the last name Young

The surname Young is of Old English origin, derived from the term "geong," which means "young one" or "young person." It has been used as both a given name and a surname throughout history. One notable figure with the surname Young was Thomas Young (1773-1829), an accomplished scientist who made significant contributions to the fields of optics, Egyptology, and physiology. The Young family originated in Scotland, where they were first recorded in the 13th century in Fife and Kinross. Over time, branches of the Young family migrated to England, Ireland, and later the Americas, settling primarily in Virginia during the 17th century. Today, the Young surname is most common in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Genealogical research on this name uncovers a rich history that spans across continents and centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Young"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
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 : 11 June 2025

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