Surname Shepeard - Meaning and Origin
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Shepeard: What does the surname Shepeard mean?
The last name Shepeard is thought to originate from the Old English ‘shepehird’, meaning shepherd. This occupational name refers to someone who kept sheep, a role which was especially important in areas of Britain where wool was an important part of the local economy.
The surname was likely first borne by a shepherd who lived in an area of England where his particular method of tending sheep was recognized and appreciated. The name was then passed onto their children, and, over time, the family adopted ‘Shepeard’ as their surname.
The shepherd profession, while no longer a full-time job today, is still an important part of rural British life. In older times, the shepherd’s role was more than simply caring for and tending to sheep; he was also responsible for protecting them from wolves and other predators and had to be able to tell the difference between good and bad pasture lands.
The Shepeard surname may also be derived from the Old French ‘esclapon’, which means a skilled worker with a specific trade. While this could refer generally to a skilled laborer, the context suggests a particular set of skills: those associated with shepherding.
In modern times, the surname Shepeard remains relatively rare but retains its connection to a noble and demanding profession. Those carrying this last name can take pride in their ancestor’s hard work and dedication and derive a sense of rootedness from the etymology of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisShepeard: Where does the name Shepeard come from?
The Shepeard surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and the United States today. In the UK, the surname Shepeard is much more concentrated in the east of England, including regions like East Anglia and the East Midlands. Outside of England, it seems to be most frequently found in Scotland and Wales.
In the US, the surname Shepeard appears to be centered in the southeast, most notably in states like Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky. According to census data from the US, the concentration of Shepeard families is highest in Tennessee, with the population reaching around 7,000 in the state. The majority of the families in the US likely came from England prior to the early 1800s.
Overall, the last name Shepeard is not extremely common, but it does have a presence in England and the US. It appears to have a roots in England, but has spread to a number of other places as well.
Variations of the surname Shepeard
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Shepeard are Shepherd, Sheppard, Shepperd, Shepperdson, Shepard, Shepperons, Shepperston, and Shepheard.
The surname Shepeard stems from the Middle English word ‘sheperd’, meaning a keeper of sheep. Eventually, that term was shortened to 'Shepard'. This name was typically used in its native Yorkshire and then spread into Scotland and Ireland.
The English variations of this surname, Shepherd and Sheppard, are the two most popular and probably have the widest distribution worldwide. The Sheppard spelling is more prominent in Yorkshire and other northern England counties. The Shepherd spelling is more popular in southern England. The spelling Shepperd is more common in Ireland.
Shepperdson and Shepheard are rarely used variations, while Shepard and Shepperons are usually found in America. Shepperston is usually seen in Scotland.
The Sheppard surname is thought to have been taken to the US by a few family branches, particularly those that traveled to America from England and Scotland. Variants of Shepard and Sheppard are also found that traveled from Ireland to the US, with the spelling Shepperd being the most frequent version of the surname.
Shepherd, Sheppard, and Shepard are the most common and widespread variants of the surname Shepeard, but there are a number of other spellings used in various parts of the globe.
Famous people with the name Shepeard
- Cybill Shepherd: American actress and singer
- Sam Shepard: American actor, playwright, and author
- Alan Shepard: American astronaut and the second person to walk on the Moon
- Elinor Shepherd: American actress and singer
- Rockwell Shepherd: American actor
- William Bartley Shepherd: American artist and lecturer
- Garret Shepherd: Canadian actor and comedian
- Sharlene Shepherd: American screenwriter and producer
- Paul Shepheard: British architect and author
- David Shephard: British actor and TV presenter
- Steve Shephard: Canadian politician
- Christie Shepherd: Canadian singer and songwriter
- Meagan Shepherd: American model and actress
- Mark Shepherd Jr.: American former hockey player
- Stephen Shephard: South African actor and writer
- Kyle Shephard: American football player
- Dave Shephard: Canadian former ice hockey player
- Holly Shepherd: British explorer and TV presenter
- Mark Shepherd: New Zealand cricketer
- Mary Shepherd: British composer and organist