SHEPHEARD
Shepheard
Shepheard is a British surname that is of occupational origin. The name is derived from the Middle English word "shep(h)ere,"which means shepherd, and was used to denote someone who was a shepherd or tended to sheep.
Origin and Distribution
The surname Shepheard can be traced back to medieval England, where it was first used as a descriptive nickname for individuals in the occupation of a shepherd. The name is primarily found in the United Kingdom, with concentrations in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Notable Individuals
- Alan Shepheard (1923-1998) - An English author known for his works on rural life and shepherding traditions.
- Julia Shepheard (b. 1975) - A Scottish shepherdess and advocate for sustainable farming practices.
Variants
Variants of the surname Shepheard include Shepherd, Shephard, Sheppard, Shepheard, and Shepperd.
Coat of Arms
The Shepheard coat of arms typically features symbols associated with shepherding, such as sheep and crooks, representing the family's ancestral occupation.
References
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson., R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 616 people named Shepheard in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around nine in a million people in Britain are named Shepheard.
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
- Colin
- David
- Gary
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
Female
- Ann
- Emma
- Hannah
- Janet
- Joanne
- Judith
- Margaret
- Mary
- Maureen
- Michelle
- Patricia
- Paula
- Rebecca
- Rosemary
Similar and related surnames
- Shepherd
- Shepphard
- Sheppherd
- Shepard
- Shepperd
- Shephard
- Sheppard
- Shafford
- Shaphard
- Shaford
- Chafford
- Chaviard
- Chevrot
- Chifford
- Chivret
- Schepherd
- Shaffert
- Shapherd
- Shawford
- Sheapard
- Sheapherd
- Sheaver
- Sheepard
- Sheffard
- Shefferd
- Shefford
- Shepeard
- Sheperd
- Shepford
- Shephad
- Shephards
- Shephardson
- Shephead
- Shepher
- Shepherdley
- Shepherdly
- Shepherds
- Shepherdson
- Shephered
- Shephert
- Shephird
- Shephord
- Sheppards
- Sheppeard
- Sherpherd
- Shiphard
- Shipherd
- Shopherd
- Shpeherd
- Shpherd
- Shuford
- Shahverdi
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.