SHEPHARD
Shephard
Shephard is a British surname of occupational origin, deriving from the Middle English word "shepherd" which means someone who herds and tends to sheep. The first recorded instance of this surname dates back to the 12th century in the records of Oxfordshire, England. The varied spellings of this surname such as Shepherd, Shephard, or Sheppard reflect the rich tapestry of English language evolution over the centuries.
Families bearing the surname Shephard can be found throughout the United Kingdom, with notable concentrations in regions historically associated with sheep farming and agriculture. Over time, individuals with the surname Shephard have diversified into a wide range of professions, while still retaining a connection to their pastoral roots.
Many individuals bearing the Shephard surname have made noteworthy contributions to British society in various fields, including literature, academia, arts, politics, and more. The surname continues to be passed down through generations, contributing to the diverse and vibrant fabric of British heritage and family history.
In modern times, the Shephard surname remains a reminder of the important role that sheep farming and agriculture have played in shaping the landscape and culture of Britain. Today, individuals carrying the Shephard surname continue to celebrate and honour their heritage while creating new legacies for future generations.
There are approximately 4,039 people named Shephard in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,317th most common surname in Britain. Around 62 in a million people in Britain are named Shephard.
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
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Ann
- Anne
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Jane
- Jean
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Shepherd
- Shepphard
- Sheppherd
- Shepheard
- Shepard
- Shepperd
- Sheppard
- Shafford
- Shapard
- Chafford
- Shaphard
- Shapherd
- Shaford
- Sheapard
- Sheapherd
- Sheard
- Sheepard
- Sheffard
- Shefferd
- Shefford
- Shepeard
- Shephards
- Shephardson
- Shepher
- Shepherdley
- Shepherdly
- Shepherds
- Shephered
- Shephert
- Shephird
- Shephord
- Shiphard
- Shpherd
- Shahverdi
- Sheperd
- Shepford
- Shephad
- Shepherdson
- Sheppards
- Sheppeard
- Sherpherd
- Shipherd
- Shopherd
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.