Yorba

Yorba is a Spanish surname that is historically associated with early Californio families in the area that is now Orange County, California. The name is linked to several ranchero lineages that held large land grants in the 18th and 19th centuries, contributing to the development of the region.

Prominent individuals bearing the name include José Antonio Yorba, an 18th‑century explorer and ranchero who established the Yorba family’s presence in Alta California, and Bernardo Yorba, a later member of the family who expanded and managed its landholdings.

The Yorba name survives in local toponyms. Yorba Linda is a city in Orange County named for the Yorba family, while Yorba Regional Park, located near Anaheim and Placentia, bears the same heritage. The area around these communities evolved through the 20th century into suburban cities, and Yorba Linda is notable for housing the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.

In contemporary usage, Yorba continues to be used as a surname and as a geographical identifier in Southern California. The persistence of the name in place names reflects the historical influence of the Yorba family in the region.