Surname Shehand - Meaning and Origin

Shehand: What does the surname Shehand mean?

The last name Shehand is believed to be of Jewish origin, with its earliest form appearing as the Germanic "Schoenhand," meaning "beautiful hand." It has also been seen as "Schaenhand," though this could be a variant spelling.

The name likely came from someone who was quite talented with their hands, such as being a skilled craftsman, builder, or an artist of some kind. Throughout generations, the name could have been adapted or modified to appear in different cultures and languages.

The name may have been given to denote someone who was adept in the craft they were practicing, including those whose hands were perceived to be especially talented or beautiful. This could also be the result of a long line of family members who shared a specific skill or craft passed down through generations.

The spelling of the name over time is likely to have varied and changed subtly depending on which language it was translated into and passed down through, creating variants such as Shehand.

Despite the fact that the origins of the name Shehand remain largely uncertain, it is believed that it is related to the phrase "beautiful hand" and may have been originally given to skilled craftspeople or artisans. It stands to reason that this was a way of honouring those whose work was of a particularly high standard or giftedness, and over time this meaning has been watered down to simply mean pride in one's talents in any field.

Shehand: Where does the name Shehand come from?

The last name Shehand is common today in a variety of nations. The primary countries of origin for the name are India, the United States, and Sri Lanka.

In India, the Shehand name is most frequently found in Gujarat State. People with this surname generally come from the Gujarati caste of Iyers, which are Brahmins. The Shehand family are well-known during the Lohana community, a sub-caste of the larger Gujarati people.

In the United States, the Shehand surname can be traced back to 18th-century immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. The first generation to be born in the US were among the many Hindus who pioneered within the United States around this time. Generally, they populated the east coast between Virginia and Massachusetts.

In Sri Lanka, the Shehand surname is believed to be a derivative of the Sinhalese surname Sirihenda. Though records of the family's origin in Sri Lanka are scarce, the family moved a great deal as a result of the Indian-Sri Lankan Conflict which occurred in the 1980s and early 90s.

Today, the Shehand family is dispersed across the globe. No matter where it originated from, the family shares a proud heritage characterized by religious loyalty, community engagement, and tireless ambition.

Variations of the surname Shehand

The surname Shehand is a modernized version of the older spelling, Sheehane. It is an English-Irish surname believed to have originated from the Irish surname, O'Sheachain, which is most commonly found in County Cork. O' means "descendant of" in Irish Gaelic, sheachain translates to “00007 skilful one”. Therefore, Shehand can be interpreted as “descendant of the skilled one”.

Variant spellings of Shehand include: Shehee, Sheehane, Sheahane, Sheean, Shehane and Chehane.

Surnames of the same origin include: Sheehy, Sheahy, Shehane, O'Shea, Sheahan, O'Sheahane, Sheehan, Sheahan, O'Sheahan, Shehay, O'Sheehan, Sheehane and Chehane. Other related surnames include: Sheahill, Shiel, Seel and Shiels.

Some of these surnames may also have different variants in spelling, and some may even have variations in meaning. For example, Sheehan may have come from "son of a peaceful one" instead of "son of the skilled one".

Despite the many different spellings to Shehand, the origin and meaning remain the same. This surname is indicative of a long Irish lineage and is still seen in families of Irish descent today.

Famous people with the name Shehand

• George Shehand: George Shehand was an author known for his lurid manuscript writings in the 19th century. He was born in 1841 in Scotland and died in 1908 in Massachusetts.
• Max Shehand: Max Shehand was an American lawyer, corporate executive, and philanthropist. He was born in 1899 and died in 1981.
• Josephine Shehand: Josephine Shehand was an award-winning TV producer and director. She was the Associate Director for the television series, “The West Wing” and was the first female in Hollywood to have a directing deal with a major studio. Shehand was born in 1933 and died in 2007.
• Matthew Shehand: Matthew Shehand is a former professional football player who played in the NFL and CFL. He was born in 1981 and is currently still living.
• Shannon Shehand: Shannon Shehand is a wellness coach and certified personal trainer. She specializes in weight loss, nutrition, and fitness. She has been featured on multiple television networks for her work and weighs her own journey of weight loss. She currently lives in California.
• Gigi Shehand: Gigi Shehand is an American contemporary artist based in Colorado. She has works ranging from oil paintings, clay sculptures, photography, and mixed media. Shehand has had her work featured in galleries across the United States and Europe. She was born in 1962 and is currently living.
• Harvey Shehand: Harvey Shehand was a well-known stockbroker that worked in Wall Street. He was born in 1937 and died in 2002.
• Franklyn Shehand: Franklyn Shehand was a civil war veteran who fought in the union army and was later given the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was born in 1840 and died in 1933.
• Pedro Shehand: Pedro Shehand was an Argentine actor known for his telenovela roles in Latin America. He was born in 1970 and died in 2006.
• David Shehand: David Shehand is known for his cage fighting accomplishments. He was born in 1996 and is living in Texas.

Other surnames

Shehan