SHEPHERD
Shepherd
Origin and Meaning: Shepherd is a common English surname of occupational origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "shepherde", which means a person who herds and tends to sheep. In the medieval period, shepherding was an important occupation, hence the surname Shepherd became widespread.
Distribution and Popularity: The surname Shepherd is primarily found in English-speaking countries, especially in the United Kingdom and former British colonies like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It is a well-established surname with a significant presence in these regions.
Notable Individuals:
- William Shepherd: An English cricketer who played for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the late 19th century.
- Karen Shepherd: A British actress known for her roles in various television shows and theatre productions.
- Alan Shepherd: A fictional character and one of the protagonists in Thomas Hardy's novel "Far from the Madding Crowd".
Coat of Arms: The Coat of Arms associated with the Shepherd surname typically features symbolic elements related to the profession of shepherding, such as sheep, crooks, and pastoral scenes. The design may vary among different branches of the Shepherd family.
Variants: Variants of the surname Shepherd include Sheppard, Shephard, Shephered, and Shephurd.
Genealogy and Family History: Genealogical research into the Shepherd family history can provide insights into ancestral occupations, geographic origins, and patterns of migration. Many genealogical records, such as birth certificates, census data, and parish registers, can be utilized to trace the lineage of individuals with the Shepherd surname.
Modern Usage: The surname Shepherd continues to be used by individuals and families around the world, serving as a link to their ancestral heritage and the historical occupation of shepherding. It remains a reminder of the role that shepherds played in the agricultural and rural communities of the past.
References:
- Reaney, Percy H., and Wilson, Richard M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Penguin Books, 1967.
There are approximately 41,126 people named Shepherd in the UK. That makes it the 180th most common surname in Britain. Around 632 in a million people in Britain are named Shepherd.
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
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Sheppherd
- Shepphard
- Sheppard
- Shephard
- Shepperd
- Shepard
- Shepheard
- Shafford
- Shapherd
- Shaphard
- Shahverdi
- Shpeherd
- Shepher
- Chafford
- Chaviard
- Chevrot
- Chifford
- Chivret
- Schepherd
- Shaffert
- Shaford
- Shaperd
- Shawford
- Sheapherd
- Shefer
- Sheffard
- Shefferd
- Shefford
- Shepeard
- Sheperd
- Shepford
- Shephards
- Shephardson
- Shephead
- Shepherdley
- Shepherdly
- Shepherds
- Shepherdson
- Shephered
- Shephert
- Shephird
- Shephord
- Sheppeard
- Sherpherd
- Shever
- Shiphard
- Shipherd
- Shopherd
- Shpherd
- Shuford
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.