SHEPHERD
Shepherd is an English surname historically recorded as an occupational name referring to individuals who tended or herded sheep. The name originates from the Middle English word shepherd, which described a person who cared for and protected flocks of sheep.
The derivation can be traced back to pre‑7th‑century Anglo‑Saxon roots. The word sceap meaning ‘sheep’ is combined with either hierde – a herdsman – or weard – a watchman. Consequently, a person titled Shepherd might have been employed to tend sheep or to serve as a town watchkeeper. In some instances the surname may arise from the occupational title shipward, as recorded with the spellings Shypward in 1432 and Shipward in 1467, within the register of skilled artisans in the city of Bristol.
There are at least ten variant spellings of the name. These include Shepherd, Shephard, Sheppard, Shepeard, Shepheard, Shepperd and Shippard. The diversity of spellings reflects regional orthographic practices in early modern England.
The earliest known instance of the family name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279, where a William Sepherd is recorded during the reign of King Edward I. This early reference demonstrates that the name was already established in the late twelfth‑century.
Church records from the early modern period provide further evidence. In 1585 the christening of Jone Shepherd was recorded at St. Mary's, Whitechapel, Stepney, in London. Another early example is that of Samuell Shepard, who made an emigrant voyage from London aboard the ship Defence in July 1635, leaving for the American colonies.
A heraldic crest associated with the surname depicts a black shield charged with a silver fess and, in the chief, three silver poleaxes. The crest itself is a stag standing upon a green mound, and the motto Fidelis translates to Faithful, suggesting a virtuous character attached to bearers of the name.
Throughout its history, the surname Shepherd has remained firmly within the occupational naming traditions of England, reflecting the vital role of pastoral care in medieval and early modern society. The name, now common across Britain, continues to identify lineage and heritage linked to the ancient practice of sheep herding and community guardianship.
Typical given names associated with the Shepherd 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.
How to communicate the surname Shepherd in...
Braille
⠎⠓⠑⠏⠓⠑⠗⠙
Morse
.........--.......-.-..
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Shepherd are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Dark Chocolate Digestive.
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
Famous people named Shepherd
- Jack P. Shepherd - Soap opera actor
- Cybill Shepherd - American actress and singer
- Jack Shepherd - Actor
- David Shepherd - Cricket umpire (1940 to 2009)
- Simon Shepherd - Actor
- Elizabeth Shepherd - Actress
- Graeme Shepherd - Musician
- Chris Shepherd - Animator
- Richard Shepherd - Politician
- Waen Shepherd - Comedy song writer, electronic music composer, character comedian
- Dave Shepherd - Musician (1929 to 2016)
- Alan Shepherd - Motorcycle racer (1935 to 2007)
- Rowen Shepherd - Scottish rugby union player
- Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd - Baron (1918 to 2001)
- Tony Shepherd - Scottish football player
- Scott Shepherd - Football player
- John Shepherd - Earth system scientist
- Albert Shepherd - Football player (1885 to 1929)
- Paul Shepherd - Football player
- Michael Shepherd - Psychiatrist (1923 to 1995)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.