SHAW
Shaw
Shaw is a common British surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name "Shaw" is derived from the Old English word "sceaga," which means a small wood or thicket. The surname Shaw likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a small wood or as a locational name for a person from one of the several places in England called Shaw.
History
The Shaw surname dates back to medieval England, where it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the name has spread across the British Isles and beyond, finding its way to North America, Australia, and other parts of the world due to migration and colonial expansion.
Notable Individuals
- George Bernard Shaw: Irish playwright and co-founder of the London School of Economics.
- Robert Gould Shaw: Union Army colonel during the American Civil War, known for leading the first all-black regiment in the US Army, the 54th Massachusetts.
- Fiona Shaw: Irish actress, known for her roles in "Harry Potter" and "Killing Eve."
Variations
Variations of the Shaw surname include Shawe, Shay, and Shawes. These variations may have originated from regional dialects or through the process of Anglicization.
Legacy
The surname Shaw has a rich history and has been borne by individuals of various backgrounds and achievements. It continues to be a prevalent surname in the English-speaking world, signaling a connection to the family's historical roots in England.
There are approximately 95,024 people named Shaw in the UK. That makes it the 59th most common surname in Britain. Around 1,459 in a million people in Britain are named Shaw.
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
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Chaw
- Chawa
- Chawe
- Chew
- Chow
- Sahw
- Schar
- Schau
- Schaw
- Sha
- Shae
- Shai
- Shair
- Shaire
- Shar
- Shara
- Share
- Sharee
- Shares
- Shari
- Sharo
- Sharow
- Sharr
- Shars
- Sharu
- Shary
- Shas
- Shau
- Shaue
- Shawa
- Shawal
- Shawan
- Shawar
- Shawe
- Shawer
- Shawis
- Shawki
- Shawl
- Shawn
- Shawo
- Shawon
- Shaws
- Shawwa
- Shay
- Shea
- Shear
- Sheare
- Sheares
- Shearr
- Shears
- Shera
- Shew
- Shey
- Shiars
- Shira
- Shoar
- Shoare
- Shora
- Shower
- Showers
- Shura
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.