ðə nˈeɪm dᵻɹˈaɪvz fɹʌmðɪ ˈoʊld ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ"jˈɑːɹd ʌv lˈænd", fɹʌm “jˈɑːɹdz” fˈɔːɹmɚ mˈiːnɪŋ æz ɐ mˈɛʒɚɹɪŋ stˈɪk ɛmplˈɔɪd ɪn ɹˈɛkənɪŋ ˈeɪkɚz sˌiːˈɛf. ɹˈɑːd.
The name derives from the Old English  ("yard of land"), from “yard's” former meaning as a measuring stick employed in reckoning acres (cf. rod).