# Young (surname)

The surname Young has multiple origins.
In some instances—particularly in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland—the surname derives from the Middle English yunge or yonge ("young"). This form of the surname often originated to differentiate a younger son from other family members.
In Ireland, Young can be a translation of the Gaelic Ó hÓgáin, meaning "descendant of Ógáin," with Ógáin translating to "young." It often serves as an anglicized form of the Irish surname Hogan. Additionally, it could be an anglicized version of Ó Maoláin, as Irish immigrants frequently had their names modified to be more accessible to English speakers.
In Scotland, Young could be an anglicized form of MacEóin, which is the Gaelic form of "John." Over time, this Gaelic name may have evolved into the surname Young.
In other instances, the surname Young is an anglicization of various similar-sounding or cognate surnames from other languages. Examples include the German Jung and Junk, the Dutch Jong, the Swedish Ljung, and the French Lejeune and Lajeunesse. Additionally, Young can be a variant of the French surnames Dion or Guyon.
In some cases, Young is a romanization of the Chinese surname Yang (杨; 楊). It may also be a rare romanization of the Korean surnames Yong (용; 龍) or Yeong (영; 永/榮/影), though in Korean names, Young is more commonly part of a given name rather than a surname.
Historically, five baronetcies have been created for individuals with the surname Young: one in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain, and three in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. As of 2014, four of these titles remain extant. See Young baronets for more details.
Young is the 49th-most common surname in England; 22nd in Scotland and 11th in New Zealand.
Notable individuals with the surname Young include:
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* R
* S
* T
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* See also
* References

## A

* Ace Young (born 1980), singer and American Idol (Season 5) finalist from Colorado, United States
* Adam Young (disambiguation), several people
* Adrian Young (born 1969), American member of the band No Doubt
* Adrian Young (American football) (born 1946), American football player
* Adrian Young (footballer) (1943–2020), Australian rules footballer
* Adrienne Young, singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee, United States
* Al Young, American poet, novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and professor
* Alan Young, British-born Canadian-American actor, comedian, and radio and television host
* Sir Alban Young, 9th Baronet (1865–1944), British envoy to Central America and to Balkan countries
* Aleana Young, Canadian politician
* Alex Young (disambiguation), several people
* Alexander Young (disambiguation), several people
* Alfred Young (disambiguation), several people
* Allen Young (1827–1915), English master mariner and explorer
* Allyn Abbott Young (1876–1929), American economist
* Alse Young (1615–1647), American alleged witch
* Alton Milford Young (1884–1950), American leader of the Ku Klux Klan
* Alvin Young (born 1975), American expatriate professional basketball player
* Amanda Young, fictional character in the Saw film series
* Amita Marie Young (born 1980), Thai singer and actress
* Ammi B. Young (1798–1874), American architect
* Dr. Dre (born Andre Young in 1965), American rapper/hip-hop producer
* Andre Young (American football) (born 1960), football player
* Andre Young (basketball) (born 1990), American basketball player
* Andrew Young (disambiguation), several people
* Angus Young (born 1955), lead guitarist of the Australian band AC/DC
* Anna Irwin Young (1873–1920), American mathematician
* Annabel Young (born 1956), New Zealand politician
* Anne Sewell Young (1871–1961), American astronomer and professor
* Anthony Young (disambiguation), several people
* Archie Young (1906–1980), Scottish footballer
* Aretas William Young (1778–1835), British Army officer and colonial administrator of the early nineteenth century
* Arthur Young (disambiguation), several people
* Artie Young (fl. 1930s–1940s), African-American dancer and actress
* Ashley Young (born 1985), English football player
* Audrey Young (1922–2012), American actress
* Austin Young (born 1966), American artist/photographer
* Avery Young (born 1992), American football player

## B

* Barbara Young (disambiguation), several people
* Barbara Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone (born 1948), British politician
* Bellamy Young (born 1970), American television actress and singer
* Bert Young (Herbert Young, 1899–1976), English footballer
* Bill Young (1930–2013), Florida congressman
* Bill Young (New Zealand politician) (1913–2009), New Zealand politician
* Bob Young (businessman), Canadian CEO of Red Hat
* Brad Young (disambiguation), several people
* Brian Young (drummer), American member of Fountains of Wayne
* Brigham Young (1801–1877), American second President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
* Brigham Young Jr. (1836–1903), son of the above, American missionary and church leader
* Britney Young, American actress
* Bryan Young (disambiguation), several people
* Bryant Young (born 1972), American football player
* Bryce Young (born 2001), American football player
* Buddy Young (1926–1983), American football player
* Burt Young (1940–2023), American actor
* Byron Young (disambiguation), multiple people

## C

* Cameron Young (disambiguation), multiple people
* Carey Young (born 1970), British artist
* Carleton Young (1905–1994), American actor
* Carlson Young (born 1990), American actress
* Cathy Young (born 1963), American journalist
* Charle Young (born 1951), American football tight end
* Charles Augustus Young (1834–1908), American astronomer
* Charles Burney Young (1824–1904), South Australian pastoralist and politician
* Charles E. Young (born 1931), chancellor of UCLA (1968–1997), president of the University of Florida (1999–2003)
* Charley Young (born 1952), American football running back in the National Football League
* Charlie Young (disambiguation), several people
* Chase Young (born 1999), American football player
* Chase Young (cricketer) (born 1988), South African cricket player
* Chavez Young (born 1997), Bahamian professional baseball player
* Chic Young (1901–1973), American cartoonist who created the popular, long-running comic strip Blondie
* Chris Young (disambiguation), several people
* Christopher Young (born 1957), American film and television composer
* Cliff Young (disambiguation), several people
* Clinton Young (born 1986), Australian rules footballer
* Colbie Young, American football player
* Coleman Young (1918–1997), former mayor of Detroit
* Colville Young (born 1932), Governor General of Belize
* Craig Young (disambiguation), multiple people
* Curt Young (born 1960), Major League Baseball pitcher and the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox
* Curtis Young (born 1986), American football member of the National Football League
* Cy Young (1867–1955), American Major League Baseball Hall-of-Fame pitcher

## D

* Damon Young, Australian philosopher
* Daniel Young (cricketer) (born 1990), English cricketer
* Danny Young (basketball) (born 1962), American basketball player
* Danny Young (actor) (born 1986), UK actor
* Danny Young (pitcher, born 1971), American baseball player
* Danny Young (pitcher, born 1994), American baseball player
* Dareke Young (born 1999), American football player
* Darin Young (born 1973), American darts player
* Darren Young (disambiguation), several people
* Darrel Young (born 1987), American football fullback
* Darwin Young (1924–2020), American politician
* David Young (disambiguation), several people
* David Young, Baron Young of Graffham (1932–2022), British Conservative politician and businessman
* Dean Young (disambiguation), several people
* Delwyn Young (born 1982), American baseball player
* Delmon Young (born 1985), baseball player
* Derek Young (born 1980), Scottish professional footballer
* Desi-Rae Young (born c. 2002), American basketball player
* Dmitri Young (born 1973), baseball player
* Donald Young (disambiguation), several people
* Don Young (1933–2022), Alaskan politician
* Donald Young (baseball) (born 1945), baseball player
* Donald Young (tennis) (born 1989), professional tennis player from the United States
* Doug Young (politician) (born 1940), Canadian politician
* Doug Young (ice hockey) (1908–1990), former ice hockey defenceman
* Draff Young, former National Basketball Association coach

## E

* Earl Young (disambiguation), several people
* Ed Young (illustrator) (born 1931), Chinese-born American children's illustrator
* Homer Edwin Young (Ed Young Sr., born 1936), American pastor
* Edwin Barry Young (Ed Young Jr., born 1961), American pastor
* Edward Young (disambiguation), several people, including:
** Edward Young (1683–1765), English poet
* Eleanor Anne Young (1925–2007), American research scientist and educator
* Emily Young (disambiguation), several people
* Eric Young (born 1985), guitarist/vocalist of the Canadian rock band Still Life Still
* Eric Young Jr. (born 1985), American baseball player and coach
* Eric Young Sr. (born 1967), American baseball player and coach
* Ernest Young (disambiguation), several people
* Esme Young (born 1949), English fashion designer
* Ethel Louise Young (1883–1974), better known as Mary Forbes, British-American actress
* Evelyn Young (1915–1983), American film actress
* Ewing Young (1799–1841), American fur trapper and trader

## F

* Faron Young (1932–1996), American country music singer
* Fernanda Young (1970−2019), Brazilian writer, television presenter, and actress
* Fifi Young (1914–1975), Indonesian actress
* Francis Brett Young (1884–1954), English novelist, poet, playwright, and composer
* Fred Young (disambiguation), several people
* Fredd Young (born 1961), professional American football linebacker
* Freddie Young (1902–1998), British cinematographer
* Frederick Young (disambiguation), several people

## G

* Gale J. Young (1912–1990), American nuclear engineer
* Galen Young (1975–2021), American professional basketball player
* Gary Young (disambiguation), several people
* Geoff Young (born 1956), American perennial candidate
* George Young (disambiguation), several people
* Gerald Young (disambiguation), several people
* G. M. Young (1882–1959), British historian
* Gig Young (1913–1978), American actor
* Gordon Young (artist) (active 1992–), British artist
* Grace Chisholm Young (1868–1944), British mathematician
* Graham Young (1947–1990), British serial killer
* Greg Young (disambiguation), several people
* Gruffydd Young (1370–1435), cleric and a close supporter of Owain Glyndwr during his Welsh rebellion

## H

* H. Olin Young (1850–1917), U.S. politician from Michigan
* Harold Young (disambiguation), several people
* Harriet Maitland Young (1838–1923), British composer
* Harry Young (disambiguation), several people
* Henry Young (disambiguation), several people
* Herbert J. Young, American college basketball and football coach
* Horace C. Young (1806–1879), New York politician
* Howard Young (disambiguation), several people

## I

* Irad Young (born 1971), American-Israeli soccer player
* Iris Marion Young (1949–2006), American political theorist
* Irwin Young (1927–2022), American businessman
* Izzy Young (1928–2019), American folk music promoter

## J

* Jackie Young (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jacob Young (disambiguation), several people
* Jahmar Young (born 1986), American basketball player in the Israeli National League
* Jake Young (American football) (1968–2002), American football player
* James Young (disambiguation), several people
* Jane Young (disambiguation), several people
* Jane Corner Young (1915–2001) American composer, music therapist and pianist
* Jared Young (born 1995), Canadian baseball player
* Jason Young (born 1980), Thai actor and singer
* Jeff Young (born 1962), American guitarist
* Jeremy Young (1934–2022), British actor
* Jerome Young (born 1976), American sprint athlete
* Jesse Colin Young (1941–2025), American singer and songwriter
* Jess Young (1851–1909), English traveller and Australian explorer
* Jessie Young (1900–1987), American radio commentator and magazine publisher
* Jim Young (disambiguation), several people
* Jimmy Young (1918–1974), Northern Irish comedian and actor
* Jo-Anne H. Young, American physician, scientist, and journal editor
* John Young (disambiguation), several people
* Johnny Young (disambiguation), several people
* Joe Young (basketball) (born 1992), American basketball player
* Jonathan Young (disambiguation), several people, includes Jonathon and Johnathan
* Joseph Young (disambiguation), several people
* Josiah T. Young (1831–1907), American politician and newspaper editor
* Julia Evelyn Ditto Young (1857–1915), American novelist, poet
* Juwon Young (born 1996), American football player

## K

* Kakani Katija Young, American bioengineer
* Katherine Young (1901–2005), American centenarian, world's oldest Internet user
* Kay Young (born 1944), Canadian politician
* Kenny Young (1941–2020), American songwriter, artist, and producer
* Kenny Young (American football) (born 1994), American football player
* Keone Young (born 1947), American character actor
* Kevin Young (disambiguation), several people
* Killian Young (born 1987), Irish sportsperson
* Kirsty Young (born 1968), British television presenter
* Kit Young (born 1994), British actor
* Korleone Young (born 1978), American professional basketball player
* Kristeen Young, American singer, songwriter and keyboardist

## L

* Lafayette Young (1848–1926), American newspaper reporter, editor, and Senator from Iowa
* La Monte Young (born 1935), American musician and composer
* Landon Young (born 1997), American football player
* Lauren Young (born 1993), Filipino-American actress model and singer
* Laurence Chisholm Young (1905–2000), British mathematician
* Lee Thompson Young (1984–2013), American actor
* Leon Young (1916–1991), conductor, arranger of Stranger on the Shore
* Leon Young (1924–2001). Amarican politician
* Leon Young (born 1967), former police officer and member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
* Lester Young (1909–1959), American musician
* Linda Young (born 1953), American voice actress
* Logan Young (1940–2006), American businessman
* Lonnie Young (born 1963), American football player
* Loretta Young (1913–2000), American actress
* Luke Young (disambiguation), several people

## M

* Mabel Minerva Young (1872–1963), American mathematician
* Madison Young (born 1980), American pornographic actress and director
* Mae Young (1923–2014), American professional wrestler and WWE Ambassador
* Mahonri Young (1877–1957), American sculptor
* Mal Young (born 1957), British television producer and executive producer
* Malcolm Young (1953–2017), Scottish-born Australian guitarist and songwriter, member of the rock band AC/DC
* Margaret Young (disambiguation), several people
* Marie Grice Young (1876–1959), American passenger on the RMS Titanic and a piano teacher
* Marissa Young (born 1981), American softball coach, head coach at Duke University
* Mark Aitchison Young (1886–1974), 21st governor of Hong Kong
* Martha Strudwick Young (1862–1941), American author
* Martin Young (journalist) (born 1947), British television journalist
* Marvin Young (born 1967), American rapper better known by his stage name Young MC
* Marvin R. Young (1947–1968), American soldier
* Megan Young (born 1990), Filipino-American actress
* Melissa Ann Young, 2005 Miss USA pageant contestant
* Michael Young (disambiguation), several people
* Milton Young (1897–1983), United States politician
* Mitch Young (born 1961), American football player
* Morris Young (entomologist) (1822–1897), Scottish entomologist
* Morris A. Young, sheriff of Gadsden County, Florida from 2004

## N

* Naomi Young (born 1976), Australian synchronized swimmer
* Nat Young (disambiguation), several people, includes Nathan Young
* Ned Young (1766–1800), sailor on HMS Bounty
* Nedrick Young (1914–1968), American actor and screenwriter, often blacklisted during the 1950s and 1960s
* Neil Young (disambiguation), several people
* Neville Young (1940–2019), New Zealand lawyer, National Party president
* Nicholas Young (disambiguation), several people
* Nick Young (disambiguation), several people

## O

* Olive Young (1903–1940), American-born actress in China
* Oliver Young (1855–1908), British politician
* Otto Young (1844–1906), German American businessman
* Owen D. Young (1874–1962), American founder of RCA and diplomat; Time Man of the Year for 1929

## P

* Paul Young (disambiguation), several people
* Patric Young (born 1992), American basketball player
* Patrick Young (1584–1652), Scottish scholar and librarian
* Pegi Young (1952–2019), American singer-songwriter
* Perry Deane Young (1941–2019), American journalist and writer
* Peter Young (disambiguation), several people
* Phineas Young (1799–1879), American early convert in the Latter Day Saint movement
* Polly Young (1749–1799), English soprano, composer, harpsichordist
* Polly Ann Young (1908–1997), American actress
* Priscilla Young (1925–2006), English social worker

## R

* R. Michael Young, politician in Indiana, United States
* Rachel Young, several characters
* Ralph Young (disambiguation), several people
* Randy Young (born 1954), American football player
* Rebecca Young (flag maker), flag maker during the American Revolution
* Rebecca Young (American politician) (1934–2008), Wisconsin politician and legislator
* Rebecca Young (Australian politician)
* Rebecca Jordan-Young (born 1963), American sociomedical scientist
* Reggie Young (1936–2019), lead guitarist in the American Sound Studios Band and a session musician
* Reynold K. Young (1886–1973), Canadian astronomer
* Richard Young (disambiguation), several people
* Rik Young (born 1978), English actor and dancer
* Robert Young (disambiguation), several people
* Robin Young (civil servant), British civil servant
* Robin Young, American television and radio personality
* Roby Young (born 1942), Israeli association football player
* Rod Young, Australian journalist and news presenter
* Roger Young (disambiguation), several people
* Roland Young (1887–1953), English actor
* Rolande Maxwell Young (1927–2015), American composer, pianist and educator
* Ronald N. Young, American politician
* Ronnie Young (1943–2019), American politician
* Rory Young (1972–2021), Zambian-born Irish wildlife conservationist and anti-poaching strategist
* Rosa Young (1890–1971), American educator
* Ross Young (disambiguation), several people
* Roynell Young (born 1957), professional American football safety and cornerback
* Ryan Young (born 1976), American football player

## S

* Samuel Young (disambiguation), several people
* Scott Young (disambiguation), several people
* Sean Young (born 1959), American actress
* Sean Young (soccer) (born 2001), Canadian soccer player
* Selvin Young (born 1983), American football running back
* Sheila Young (born 1950), speed skater and track cyclist from the United States
* Shelby Young (born 1992), American film, television and voice actress
* Simone Young (born 1961), Australian conductor
* Slater Young (born 1987), Filipino-Chinese actor and television personality
* Sophia Young (born 1983), Vincentian professional women's basketball player
* Stella Young (1982–2014), Australian comedian, journalist and disability rights activist
* Stephanie Young, American voice actress who works for anime series of FUNimation Entertainment
* Stephen Young (disambiguation), several people
* Steve Young (disambiguation), several people, includes Steven Young
* Stuart Young (accountant) (1934–1986), chairman of the BBC from 1983 until 1986
* Sydney Young (chemist) (1857–1937), British chemistry professor

## T

* Tamera Young (born 1986), American basketball player
* Terri Young (born 1959), American pediatric ophthalmologist
* Thaddeus Young (born 1988), American basketball player
* Thomas Young (disambiguation), several people
* Tim Young (disambiguation), several people
* Tiffany Young (born Stephanie Young Hwang, 1989), American singer, member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation
* Toby Young (born 1963), British journalist and the author
* Todd Young (born 1972), U.S. Senator from Indiana
* Tommy Young (born 1947), American professional wrestling referee and retired professional wrestler
* Tom Young (disambiguation), several people
* Tony Young (actor) (1937–2002), American actor
* Trae Young (born 1998), American basketball player
* Trevon Young (born 1995), American football player
* Trummy Young (1912–1984), American trombonist in the swing era

## V

* Val Young (born 1958), American Urban/Dance-pop artist
* Van Eps Young (1822–1895), Union Army colonel and Wisconsin politician
* Vicki Young, British journalist
* Victor Young (1899–1956), American composer
* Vince Young (born 1983), American football player
* Virginia S. Young (1917–1994), American politician

## W

* W. J. Young (1827–1896), Irish businessman
* Wallace Young, politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
* Walter X. Young (1918–1942), United States Marine Corps officer and Navy Cross recipient
* Wanda Young (1943–2021), American singer of The Marvelettes
* Wendell Young (born 1963), Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and manager
* Whitney Young (1921–1971), American civil rights leader
* Wilfred Ernest Young (1891–?), English World War I flying ace
* Willard N. Young (died 2022), American politician
* William J. Young (coach), American college basketball and football coach
* Will Young (born 1979), British singer
* William Henry Young (1863–1942), English mathematician
* William Weston Young (1776–1847), British Quaker entrepreneur, artist, botanist and inventor of the firebrick

## Y

* Young baronets, baronets of the UK in the surname of Young
* Yvette Young, American guitarist and front-woman of math rock band Covet