Surname Sheman - Meaning and Origin
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Sheman: What does the surname Sheman mean?
The surname Sheman doesn't appear to have a specific or notable meaning within genealogy records, as it isn't a common or well-documented last name. It may be a variation or misspelling of more common surnames like Sherman or Sheehan.
Sherman is an English occupational surname for someone who sheared woolen garments, known as a "shear man". The name can also indicate someone who manufactured shears used in the cloth industry.
Sheehan, on the other hand, is an Irish surname. It originated from the Gaelic name O'Siodhachain, which translates to "descendant of the peaceful one."
It's possible that Sheman could derive from one of these surnames or another similar name, and has evolved or been changed over time. As with many surnames, the definitive meaning of Sheman would likely require a detailed examination of family history and genealogy.
Order DNA origin analysisSheman: Where does the name Sheman come from?
The surname Sheman is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. It is found most commonly in areas where there are people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. This includes the states of New York, California, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The surname is also common among Ashkenazis living in Israel, particularly in the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas.
In the United States, the most frequent areas of settlement for families with the surname Sheman include the cities of New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Philadelphia. The surname is also common in Toronto and Montreal in Canada. In addition to the United States and Canada, Sheman is also found in the United Kingdom, South America, Australia, and South Africa, as well as many European countries.
In the United States, Sheman is an uncommon but not rare name. It is estimated that there are around 2,500 to 7,500 people with the surname Sheman living in the US today, most of whom are of Ashkenazi descent. The surname is also found to be used in wealthy and middle class households, with the highest concentration found in urban areas.
Variations of the surname Sheman
The surname Sheman is an Anglicanised version of the Jewish surname Scheinman or Sheynman which literally means “jewel-smith” or “ornament-maker.” This surname is thought to have originally been a descriptive nickname rather than a patronymic, meaning that the bearer of the surname likely had some association with the craft of jewellery-making.
The variants of Sheman include Shema, Shemann, Sheyman, Scheinman, and Scheinmann. These last two variants may be more common in Hebrew and Yiddish-speaking communities, whilst Shema, Shemann, and Sheyman are the more commonly seen Anglicised forms.
The surname may have also been adopted by other ethnicities. In countries such as Lithuania, Austria, Germany, and Romania, the spelling is usually Shiman or Shimman. In Russia, the surname is found spelled Shimanov or Shiminin.
In the United States, the most common spelling variations of the surname are Lemond, Leamon, Seamon, Semones, Shemen, Shimin, Simmons, and Symian.
Overall, the meaning of the surname Sheman remains the same across all of its variants despite slight spelling or pronunciation differences between them. The meaning behind this surname is still relevant today, with many modern jewellers carrying on the craft that first gave the Sheman family their name.
Famous people with the name Sheman
- Ryan Sheman Morris: American actor known for his roles in One Tree Hill and Daredevil.
- Rod Sheman: British artist who specializes in natural history illustration and portraiture in watercolors.
- Kevin Sheman: Australian actor who has appeared in films such as Swimming Upstream and The Invisible Man.
- Jason Sheman: Canadian singer-songwriter who released the popular single “Beautiful Day” in 2009.
- Kenneth Sheman: American author of non-fiction books such as Living with Depression and More Winning Strategies in Business and Life.
- Mark Sheman: British dancer and choreographer who won a Laurence Olivier Award for his work in the West End production of Fiddler on the Roof.
- Jonathan Sheman: US Marine veteran turned actor known for his roles in Revenge and Homeland.
- Chris Sheman: Award-winning Canadian director and screenwriter who wrote and directed the film Black Fly.
- Marc Sheman: American composer and producer who won an Emmy Award for his musical score of the hit television series Brothers and Sisters.
- Mike Sheman: American entrepreneur and former NFL player who founded the successful healthcare consulting firm Sheman & Associates.