SHAKESPEARE
The surname Shakespeare finds its origins in the British Isles, specifically in England, where it emerged during the early medieval period. Its roots are firmly planted in the English linguistic tradition, and it is traditionally associated with Christian communities of the region.
The derivation of the name is straightforward, being a literal description of a person who wields a spear. The term comes from the Middle English compound schak(k)en-speare, meaning “one who brandishes a spear.” The element schak(k)en is derived from an older verb meaning to brandish, shake or shake off, and is related to Old English sc(e)acan. The second element, speer, simply denotes a spear, a weapon whose use was common among early soldiers and hunters. Another plausible derivation is that the name was a nickname or occupational surname for someone skilled in spearing or a fighter.
Earliest documented forms of the name appear in the 13th and 14th centuries: Simon Shakespere (1324, Staffordshire) and Robert Schaksper (1379, Yorkshire) are recorded in surviving charters. In the 13th century, a member of the family, William Sakespere, is mentioned in the Old Charters of Gloucestershire in 1248 during the reign of King Henry XI. By the early 17th century, the spelling had largely consolidated to Shakespeare, although variants such as Shakespear and Shakspeare still survived in some regions.
In addition to the name’s martial connotations, several other surnames bear a comparable construction. Examples include Shacklock or Shakelock, literally “lock‑shaker” and associated with a gaoler; Shakelance, again meaning “spearman”; and Shakeshaft, a term also used for an armed man. These parallels support the interpretation of Shakespeare as a straightforward nickname for a spearman or a belligerent person.
The most celebrated bearer of the surname was William Shakespeare (1564‑1616), a playwright, poet and actor whose works have left an indelible mark on English literature. Born in Stratford‑on‑Avon, Warwickshire, his name remains common in that area. The name continues to appear in historical registers beyond Stratford; for instance, the marriage of John Shakespeare and Sara Chattel is recorded at St. Mary Mounthaw in London on 9 October 1608.
Thus, the surname Shakespeare is a historically grounded English name denoting a person who brandished a spear, and its usage has been documented since at least the early 13th century.
Typical given names associated with the Shakespeare surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- William
Female
- Alison
- Claire
- Emma
- Jane
- Joanne
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Marie
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Shakespeare in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Shakespeare are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.
There are approximately 3,875 people named Shakespeare in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,409th most common surname in Britain. Around 60 in a million people in Britain are named Shakespeare.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Shakespeare
- William Shakespeare - Playwright and poet (1564 to 1616)
- Hamnet Shakespeare - Son of William Shakespeare (1585 to 1596)
- Craig Shakespeare - Football player
- Tom Shakespeare - Sociologist
- John Nicholas Shakespeare - Singer, songwriter and record producer
- Nicholas Shakespeare - Novelist and journalist
- Joan Shakespeare - Sister of William Shakespeare (1569 to 1646)
- Geoffrey Shakespeare - Politician (1893 to 1980)
- John William Richmond Shakespeare - Diplomat, b. 11 June 1930
- Clive Shakespeare - Musician (1949 to 2012)
- William Shakespeare - Opera singer (1849 to 1931)
- Percy Shakespeare - Painter from Dudley, England. (1906 to 1943)
- Ivan Shakespeare - Comedy writer (1952 to 2000)
- Malcolm Shakespeare - Speedway rider
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.