SHIELS
Shiels
Overview
Shiels is a surname of Scottish and Irish origin, most prevalent in the British Isles. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic MacSithigh, meaning "son of the peace maker". The variant "Shiels" originated from the former spelling "Sheil" or "Sheill".
History
The Shiels surname has ancient roots, with the name first appearing in records in the 14th century in Scotland and Ireland. The Shiels family were traditionally associated with the protection of individuals or territories, reflecting the original meaning of the name.
Distribution
The surname Shiels is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, particularly in the regions of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, and County Donegal in Ireland. Across the British Isles, individuals with the surname Shiels have made notable contributions to various fields including sports, arts, and politics.
Notable Individuals
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Billy Shiels: A renowned Scottish football player who represented various clubs in the 20th century.
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Trevor Shiels: A prominent Irish artist known for his landscape paintings and contribution to the art world.
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Ian Shiels: A well-known British politician who served in the House of Commons during the mid-20th century.
Variants
The surname Shiels has various spelling variations including Sheil, Sheill, Shields, and Sheals. These variations often arose from clerical errors in historical records or regional dialects.
Modern Day
Today, individuals with the surname Shiels can be found across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other parts of the world due to migration and globalisation. Many individuals with the surname Shiels continue to carry on the legacy of their ancestors through various professions and endeavours.
There are approximately 2,119 people named Shiels in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,002nd most common surname in Britain. Around 33 in a million people in Britain are named Shiels.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Christopher
- David
- George
- James
- John
- Martin
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Marie
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.