Yorke

Yorke is a surname of English origin, a variant spelling of York. It typically derives from the city of York or the historic county of Yorkshire, and is often toponymic, given to people who came from that area. The final -e spelling reflects historical and regional orthography and appears in England and among English-speaking communities abroad.

The name has spread through migration to countries such as Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where Yorke remains in use today. Variants include York and other related forms, with regional pronunciations contributing to spelling diversity.

In contemporary usage, Yorke is most often encountered as a family name. One widely recognized bearer is Thom Yorke, the English musician and lead vocalist of the band Radiohead, who has contributed to the name’s visibility in popular culture.

Geographically, Yorke appears in place names, such as the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, a large coastal region that carries the Yorke spelling. The name also appears in various localities and administrative divisions in English-speaking countries, reflecting its historical toponymic origins.

Overall, Yorke functions as a surname with English roots tied to York and Yorkshire, and it is reinforced by its presence in geography and modern culture through notable individuals.