The Yarbrough National Genealogical & Historical Association Inc.
- Family Legends & Oral History
The Three Yarbrough Myths
A fascinating exploration of family legends, migration stories, ancestral pride, and the historical truths hidden behind generations of Yarbrough oral tradition.
- Historical Reflections
Stories Passed Through Generations
For generations, the Yarbrough family carried stories of noble ancestry, migration, and family survival through oral tradition. These stories, passed from parent to child across decades, became deeply woven into the family’s identity.
Former United States Senator Ralph Webster Yarborough reflected on these legends during a speech delivered at the Sixth Annual National Yarbrough Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1988. His talk explored three enduring family myths that shaped the Yarbrough story and examined how historical research later revealed surprising truths behind each tradition.
- Myth One
The Great Judge Of England
One of the oldest stories Ralph Yarborough heard growing up was that the family descended from a great English judge. Curious about the claim, he later researched official historical records and discovered no judge named Yarbrough listed among England’s judiciary.
For many years, he believed the story was simply another exaggerated family legend.
However, later historical research uncovered an important figure connected to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. A man named John Yarbrough served as Keeper of the Royal Seal and Keeper of the Royal Wardrobe under John of Gaunt during the fourteenth century.
As Keeper of the Royal Seal, John Yarbrough held a highly trusted position responsible for authenticating official royal documents. Historical records connected to Geoffrey Chaucer even included financial vouchers signed by John Yarbrough on behalf of the Duke of Lancaster.
Though not technically a judge, his duties carried significant administrative and quasi-judicial authority within the royal household, likely giving rise to the long-standing family legend of the “great Judge Yarbrough.”
- Myth Two
The Legend Of The Seven Brothers
Another story passed through the family claimed that seven Yarbrough brothers migrated together from the “old country” to America and became the ancestors of many American Yarbrough families.
As a young man, Ralph Yarborough assumed the “old country” referred to England. Later research revealed the migration story itself was largely true, but the origin point had been misunderstood.
The migration actually occurred from Virginia into North Carolina during the mid-1700s. Economic opportunity, inexpensive land, and religious freedom encouraged many settlers to relocate from exhausted tobacco farmland in Virginia into the growing Carolina frontier.
Researchers now believe the migration involved a combination of brothers and sons rather than seven brothers alone, but the oral tradition preserved the essential truth of a major family migration across colonial America.
- Myth Three
Preserving The Yarbrough Name
The third family myth involved men marrying Yarbrough women and adopting the Yarbrough surname in order to preserve the family line.
Unlike the earlier stories, this tradition proved historically accurate.
In nineteenth-century England, the Yorkshire branch of the Yarbrough family faced the possibility of losing the surname due to a lack of direct male heirs. Through inheritance and marriage arrangements, husbands assumed the Yarbrough name to continue the family lineage and preserve its aristocratic identity.
Historical records document several cases where family titles and estates passed through daughters, with husbands legally adopting the Yarbrough surname in order to continue the family name.
These events helped preserve the Yarbrough lineage within England long after many family branches had already migrated to America.
- Royal Connections
John Of Gaunt And The Royal Court
John of Gaunt, one of the most influential nobles in medieval England, played a major role in the historical connections surrounding the Yarbrough family legend.
As Duke of Lancaster and later King of Castile through marriage, John of Gaunt maintained enormous political power and influence throughout England and Europe. His royal household employed scholars, administrators, clerks, and trusted officials responsible for managing royal affairs.
Within this environment, John Yarbrough served as an important official trusted with royal seals, documents, and ceremonial duties. Historical connections between John of Gaunt, Geoffrey Chaucer, and John Yarbrough provide a remarkable glimpse into the medieval world surrounding the family’s early history.
- Literary History
Chaucer, Language, And Historical Legacy
Historical researchers studying the life of Geoffrey Chaucer discovered payment records signed by John Yarbrough while examining documents connected to the Duke of Lancaster’s court.
Chaucer, widely regarded as one of the fathers of English literature, wrote in the common language of the people rather than the formal French traditionally used by nobility and courts during the medieval period.
Scholars credit Chaucer with helping establish English as the dominant literary language of England. Through these historical discoveries, the Yarbrough name became indirectly connected to one of the most transformative literary periods in English history.
Family Pride
Generations of Yarbrough descendants preserved stories celebrating honor, identity, courage, and deep ancestral family connections.
The Great Judge
A legendary English judge story later revealed historical connections to trusted royal officials serving medieval England.
Seven Brothers
The famous migration story survived generations of storytelling before researchers uncovered historical truths behind the family tradition.
Name Preservation
Marriage traditions helped preserve the Yarbrough surname when direct male heirs within England became increasingly limited.
Oral Memory
Family stories carried historical fragments across centuries, even when details changed through repeated retelling over generations.
Historical Discovery
Modern genealogical research continues uncovering evidence supporting long-preserved Yarbrough legends and ancestral family traditions.
- Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ralph Webster Yarborough?
Ralph Webster Yarborough was a former United States Senator from Texas and a passionate researcher of Yarbrough family history.
What are the three Yarbrough myths?
The myths involve a great English judge, seven brothers migrating to America, and men adopting the Yarbrough surname through marriage.
Was the story of the seven brothers true?
Researchers believe the migration story was based on real historical events, though the details evolved over time.
Who was John Yarbrough in medieval England?
John Yarbrough served under John of Gaunt as Keeper of the Royal Seal and Keeper of the Royal Wardrobe.
What was the role of the Keeper of the Royal Seal?
The position carried significant responsibility for authenticating official royal documents.
How is Geoffrey Chaucer connected to the story?
Researchers discovered payment records connected to Chaucer that were signed by John Yarbrough on behalf of the Duke of Lancaster.
Did men really adopt the Yarbrough surname through marriage?
Yes. Historical records confirm several English families adopted the surname to preserve the family line and inheritance.
Why are oral family histories important?
Oral traditions often preserve valuable historical truths that may later be confirmed through research.
What caused the migration from Virginia to North Carolina?
Economic opportunity, available farmland, and religious freedom encouraged migration during the colonial era.
Are researchers still studying Yarbrough history today?
Yes. Genealogists and historians continue uncovering new information about the Yarbrough family lineage and historical connections.