SHEPARD
Shepard
Shepard is a common British surname that has its origins in the word "shepherd," which means a person who looks after sheep. The surname is an occupational name, often given to those who worked as shepherds in rural areas.
History and Origin:
The surname Shepard can be traced back to medieval England, where it was commonly used to identify individuals who had the profession of tending to sheep. The shepherding occupation was crucial in rural communities, and those with the last name Shepard were highly respected for their role in caring for the livestock.
Variants:
The surname Shepard has several variant spellings, including Shepherd, Shepard, Shepparde, and Shepperd. These variations have evolved over time due to changes in spelling conventions and regional dialects.
Distribution:
The surname Shepard is prevalent in various regions of the United Kingdom, with concentrations in England, Scotland, and Wales. Due to emigration patterns, the name has also spread to other parts of the world, particularly in former British colonies such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notable Individuals:
- Alan Shepard (1923–1998): The first American astronaut to travel into space.
- Sam Shepard (1943–2017): An acclaimed American playwright and actor with British ancestry.
Conclusion:
The Shepard surname, with its strong association with shepherding and rural life, continues to be a common and esteemed family name in Britain and beyond. The legacy of those who bore this surname is a testament to the importance of the pastoral industry in shaping the cultural and historical identity of the British Isles.
There are approximately 742 people named Shepard in the UK. That makes it roughly the 9,280th most common surname in Britain. Around 11 in a million people in Britain are named Shepard.
Surname type: Occupational name
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
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Jonathan
- Mark
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- Timothy
- William
Female
- Diane
- Helen
- Jane
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Marian
- Mary
- Nicola
- Rebecca
- Ruth
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Shepherd
- Shepphard
- Sheppherd
- Shepheard
- Shepperd
- Shephard
- Sheppard
- Shapard
- Shaperd
- Chapart
- Chopard
- Seppard
- Shaper
- Shaphard
- Shapir
- Shappard
- Shapperd
- Shapur
- Shard
- Sheapard
- Sheapherd
- Sheard
- Sheeparad
- Sheepard
- Sheffard
- Shepardson
- Shepeard
- Sheperd
- Sheperdson
- Shepford
- Shephards
- Shephird
- Shephord
- Sheppar
- Sheppara
- Sheppards
- Sheppardson
- Sheppart
- Sheppeard
- Shepper
- Shepperdley
- Shepperdly
- Shepperdson
- Sheppord
- Sherd
- Sherperd
- Shipard
- Shiperd
- Shippard
- Shipperd
- Shoppard
- Tchiprout
- Shahpar
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.