SHAPLEY
Shapley
Shapley is a surname of English origin that is believed to have derived from a place name. The surname is locational, deriving from the Old English words sceap meaning "sheep" and leah meaning "wood" or "clearing". This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been residents of or had an association with a place known for its sheep farming or clearing in the woods.
Notable individuals with the surname Shapley
Harlow Shapley (1885–1972)
Harlow Shapley was an American astronomer who was born in Nashville, Missouri, United States. Despite being of American descent, his surname highlights the link between British and American surnames based on shared linguistic roots. Shapley made significant contributions to our understanding of the structure of the Milky Way galaxy and the cosmos as a whole.
Distribution
An analysis of surname distribution data suggests that the Shapley surname is relatively rare in the United Kingdom, with higher concentrations in areas with historical ties to sheep farming or wooded landscapes. The surname has also been found in the United States and other English-speaking countries as a result of migration patterns and global diasporas.
The Shapley surname is a testament to the rich tapestry of British surnames, each with its own unique story and history that reflects the diverse influences and occupations of its bearers throughout the ages.
There are approximately 264 people named Shapley in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Shapley.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Anthony
- Brian
- David
- Jonathan
- Kenneth
- Mark
- Michael
- Nicholas
- Oliver
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Thomas
Female
- Barbara
- Christine
- Emma
- Janet
- Jill
- Joanna
- Judith
- Julia
- Karen
- Lillian
- Louise
- Martine
- Rosemary
- Sandra
- Winifred
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.