Younge

Younge is primarily a surname and, less commonly, a place-name element. It represents an archaic or variant spelling of the more common surnames Young or Yonge, and it appears in historical records where spelling varied before standardization.

Origin and meaning

The surname Younge most likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a young person or as a patronymic linked to an ancestor named Young. The spelling reflects medieval and early modern orthography, when writers used multiple forms for the same name. Over time, standardization tends to favor the forms Young or Yonge, while Younge persisted in some families and records.

Distribution and usage

Today, Younge is relatively rare compared with its variants. It has appeared in English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, typically in regions with historical English settlement. As a result, individuals with the surname may be found in genealogical and local historical contexts rather than in broad, widely cited biographical sources.

Notable people and records

Because the spelling Younge is uncommon, it yields fewer widely recognized figures in reference works. The name does appear in archival materials, census records, and parish registries, where it can be traced in genealogical research and local histories.

Toponymy

There are no widely recognized places named Younge as a standalone toponym. The form may appear in historical documents or as part of longer place names in older records, reflecting the same linguistic origins as the surname.

See also

Young, Yonge. This related set of surnames represents the more common spellings from which Younge derives and provides broader context for the name’s history.