Yonge

Yonge is a name that appears in English-language toponymy and surnames. The most familiar use is Yonge Street, a major thoroughfare in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The street has long been central to the city’s urban development and has figured prominently in Canadian history and culture.

Yonge Street runs through Toronto from Lake Ontario in the south toward the city’s northern suburbs. It originated in the late 18th century, laid out as part of the plan for the town of York (later Toronto) and named for Sir George Yonge, a British politician who served as Secretary at War. Over time, Yonge Street became a principal axis for commerce, transit, and city life, serving multiple neighborhoods and districts and linking various transportation networks.

In modern discourse, Yonge Street is often described as one of the longest streets in the world, a claim tied to historical measurements and administrative boundaries. In contemporary usage, the length of the street varies depending on how it is measured and how segments are designated within municipal boundaries, so the title is contested and frequently presented as a historic or cultural note rather than an official statistic.

As a surname, Yonge has English origins and occurs among individuals in British and other English-speaking communities. The most prominent public figure carrying the name is Sir George Yonge, a British politician who served as Secretary at War. The name continues to be encountered in place names and biographies across regions influenced by British heritage.