Surname Sheilds - Meaning and Origin

Sheilds: What does the surname Sheilds mean?

The surname Sheilds is of Irish origin and comes from the Gaelic name "O Siadhail", which means descendant of Siadhal. The term “Siadhal” is believed to mean 'one who is seductive or alluring' in Old Gaelic. This surname evolved into different forms over the years including Shields, Shield, Shiel, Shiell, Shiells, among others. The name is mostly associated with Co. Longford and surrounding areas on the east coast of Ireland. Bearers of the surname Sheilds have been noted for their bravery and courage, resembling the protective characteristic typically associated with a shield. Today, the surname is found in many English-speaking countries as a result of Irish emigration.

Sheilds: Where does the name Sheilds come from?

The surname Shields is generally thought to be of Irish, English, Scotts-Irish and/or Scottish origin. It is most common in Britain, mainly found in Northern Ireland and Scotland. In the United States, it is most highly concentrated in Maine, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

The surname Shields can be found spread throughout modern day communities worldwide. In parts of Africa, Shields is a popular surname. It is associated with the Zulu nation, and can be found in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.

The surname Shields has extended to other countries of the world following the 19th Century Irish diaspora. Australia, New Zealand and Canada in particular have a high concentration of the surname. Here, a lot of Shields can be found in Queensland, Victoria and Ontario, respectively.

In the United States, a census from 1900 revealed that the Shields family covered most of the US. They are especially prominent in the Northeast, particularly in states such as New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland, and others. In the West Coast region, Shields is highly represented in California, Oregon and Washington. Across the entire US, the Shields surname is the 1,437th most popular name, composed of approximately 8,328 families.

Overall, Shields is a geographically diverse name, with significant concentrations in the British Isles, Anglo-American, and African nations. The surname also appears to have a particularly high concentration in the USA.

Variations of the surname Sheilds

The surname Shields has variations in spelling, variants of the name, and surnames of the same origin, including Sheilds, Schields, Shields, Shilds, Shildes, Shiells, Shiels, and Skeilds.

Shields is of English origin and means “residence name for someone who lived near a defensive wall or shield.” This surname is often found in Scotland and Northern England, but it is also found throughout the English-speaking world, including Ireland, the United States, Australia, and Canada.

The variations in spelling for Shields include Sheilds, Schields, Shilds, Shildes, Shiells, and Shiels. Shields is the most common form of the name, but Sheilds has also been used. Schields is a variant of the name and is rarely used. Shilds, Shildes, Shiells, and Shiels are alternate forms of Shields.

The surnames of the same origin as Shields include Sieil, Seiel, Seyel, Syele, and Syerl. These surnames are all derived from the Middle English verb “shielen,” meaning “to protect.” It is likely that these variations of Shields arose from different dialects of Middle English spoken by different families.

Skeilds is another variant of Shields, thought to have originated from the Middle English occupational word “scheld,” meaning “shield-maker.” This rare form of the name is still found in some parts of the United Kingdom and parts of the United States.

In conclusion, Shields is a surname of English origin that has variations in spelling, variants of the name, and surnames of the same origin. These variations include Sheilds, Schields, Shilds, Shildes, Shiells, Shiels, and Skeilds, and the surnames of the same origin include Sieil, Seiel, Seyel, Syele, and Syerl.

Famous people with the name Sheilds

• Brooke Shields: Actress, Model, Businesswoman and Author
• Michael Shields: Former Irish Republican Army Volunteer and Political Prisoner
• Juliette Shields: British Social Media Influencer
• Colin Shields: Retired Professional Ice Hockey Player
• Bob Shields: Canadian Jazz Musician
• Paul Shields: Former Professional Footballer
• Jacqueline Shields: British Actress and Former Model
• Frank Shields: United States Tennis Player
• Tom Shields: American Competitive Swimmer
• Sarah Shields: American Runner and Cancer Survivor
• Gemma Shields: English Television Presenter
• Brett Shields: Canadian Actor and Musician
• Alice Shields: American Composer
• Ryan Shields: Former Professional Footballer
• Jim Shields: Scottish Professional Footballer
• Charlie Shields: American Actor
• Nick Shields: Australian Politician
• John Shields: American Chef and Television Personality
• Stephanie Shields: German Social Media Personality
• Cheryl Shields: American Painter and Sculptor

Other surnames

SheilSheildSheillSheils