The name Yirrell is derived from the name Yerroll that first appears in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England in the 17th century. By 1788 the name had mutated to Yirrell, although the name also appears as Yerrell and Yerrill. There are still Yirrells in Leighton Buzzard.
I'm building a family tree on this page as and when time allows and as I get new information. I will not add any names of people born after 1900 to the web page, for security reasons, but I'm still interested.
Click here for the graphical version. For a family tree in text format click here
I am indebted to F. A. White for the information on the Yirrells between 1707 and 1863. My own family provided the detail of our branch after that period. I know that there is a branch of the family missing and I have no information as to how the name reached the USA, Australia or South Africa. Any information I get along those lines I will add.
I have found three Yirrells on the Commonwealth War Graves Commision web site. Frederick, a Private in the East Surrey Regiment, who died 1/7/1916, Percy Tom Wilson, Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery who died 30/3/1917 and Bertram Robert, a Private in the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment, who died 6/1/1944. None of these three appear to be related to my side of the family, but the name Wilson appears to have been used on a number of occasions (an uncle of mine had the name).
I'd be glad to receive any information, comments or suggestions for the site by email. For example, do you think it would be a good idea to put Yirrell email addresses and web page shortcuts on here?
Some Christian thoughts on genealogy
You may think it strange that I, a Christian, should be interested in my forebears. After all I know of few of them who were Christians. If you read the Bible, however, you will find it full of genealogies, some tracing families back to the days of creation. I'm interested because I believe we can learn something from these genealogies. Firstly they all died, as we shall some day. Secondly, and perhaps more cheerfully, they were just like us, having the same needs and weaknesses. I have two families, the one I was born into as a baby and that which God adopted me into. Members of both families lived alongside each other down history. You have a relationship with me in Adam, or maybe someone more recent. A far better relationship is that which I have with those who are in Jesus Christ's family, I'd like you to know it too.
Martin Yirrell