The name is believed to be of Aboriginal origin, as in Tharawal "Yerri" means "tooth" and "ong" is a common place name ending, so it is considered to relate to an initiation ceremony.[2]
Yerriyong had a state school from 1885 to 1948. This was described as a "provisional school" (October 1882–April 1883), "public school" (1883–1895), or "half-time school" (June–September 1895).[4] It was replaced by Yerriyong Vale, which was a "half-time school" (June–September 1895, 1906–1908 and 1914–1916) or a "provisional school" (1895–1906 and 1909–1913).[5]