Young (surname)

The surname Young has multiple origins.

In some instances—particularly in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland—the surname derives from the Middle English yunge or yonge ("young"). This form of the surname often originated to differentiate a younger son from other family members.[citation needed]

In Ireland, Young can be a translation of the Gaelic Ó hÓgáin, meaning "descendant of Ógáin," with Ógáin translating to "young." It often serves as an anglicized form of the Irish surname Hogan. Additionally, it could be an anglicized version of Ó Maoláin, as Irish immigrants frequently had their names modified to be more accessible to English speakers.

In Scotland, Young could be an anglicized form of MacEóin, which is the Gaelic form of "John." Over time, this Gaelic name may have evolved into the surname Young.

In other instances, the surname Young is an anglicization of various similar-sounding or cognate surnames from other languages. Examples include the German Jung and Junk, the Dutch Jong, the Swedish Ljung, and the French Lejeune and Lajeunesse. Additionally, Young can be a variant of the French surnames Dion or Guyon.

In some cases, Young is a romanization of the Chinese surname Yang (楊/杨). It may also be a rare romanization of the Korean surnames Yong (용; 龍) or Yeong (영; 永/榮/影), though in Korean names, Young is more commonly part of a given name rather than a surname.[1]

Historically, five baronetcies have been created for individuals with the surname Young: one in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain, and three in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. As of 2014, four of these titles remain extant. See Young baronets for more details.

Young is the 49th-most common surname in England; 22nd in Scotland and 11th in New Zealand.[2]

Notable individuals with the surname Young include:

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  • Olive Young (1903–1940), American-born actress in China
  • Oliver Young (1855–1908), British politician
  • Otto Young (1844–1906), German American businessman
  • Owen D. Young (1874–1962), American founder of RCA and diplomat; Time Man of the Year for 1929

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  • Young baronets, baronets of the UK in the surname of Young
  • Yvette Young, American guitarist and front-woman of math rock band Covet

See also

References

  1. ^ The latter surname is uncommon; according to the 2000 South Korean census, only 259 South Korean citizens had this surname. The former surname is more common, at 14,067 citizens, but when they romanize it, for example in their South Korean passports, nearly all of them (97%, in one sample from 2007) spell it Yong rather than Young. In contrast, given names beginning with Yeong/Young were some of South Korea's most popular names for baby boys in the 1940s through 1960s. 성씨 로마자 표기 방안: 마련을 위한 토론회 [Plan for romanisation of surnames: a preparatory discussion]. National Institute of the Korean Language. 25 June 2009. p. 60. Retrieved 22 October 2015. "KOSIS" 행정구역(구시군)/성씨·본관별 가구 및 인구 [Family names by administrative region (district, city, county): separated by bon-gwan, households and individuals]. Korean Statistical Information Service. Retrieved 23 October 2015. 이진희 [Yi Jin-hui] (28 January 2009). 너도 민준이니… 어! 또 서연이야 [You're also Min-jun ... Oh! Another Seo-yeon?]. Hankook Ilbo. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  2. ^ Young Surname at Forebears
  3. ^ Howes, Durward, ed. (1937). American Women : The Official Who's Who Among the Women of the Nation, Vol. II (1937-38). Los Angeles, CA: American Publications, Inc. p. 763. OCLC 435906904.
  4. ^ Birkby, Evelyn (1991). "Jessie Young". Neighboring on the Air : Cooking with the KMA Radio Homemakers. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press. pp. 38–39. ISBN 0-87745-316-0.