Surname Sheperd - Meaning and Origin
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Sheperd: What does the surname Sheperd mean?
The surname Sheperd is a variation of Shepherd, which is of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is derived from the Old English pre-7th century word "sceapere," which means sheep herder. It was typically an occupational name given to those who originally worked as sheep herders or tended to sheep. The surname would have been descriptive for a worker during the Middle Ages in England, reflecting their occupation or vocation. The spelling variations including Sheperd, Sheppard, Sheepheard, Sheepherd were all developed later. Notably, it is a surname common among both English and Irish families.
Order DNA origin analysisSheperd: Where does the name Sheperd come from?
The last name Shepherd is a very common surname throughout the world, especially in English-speaking countries. It is derived from Old English words meaning “shepherd” and is commonly found in parts of Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.
In the United Kingdom, Shepherd is the 40th most common surname, with approximately 62,500 individuals bearing the family name. In Canada, Shepherd is among the 25 most common surnames, with over 39,000 individuals sharing the name. In the United States, Shepherd is the 134th most frequent surname, with over 178,000 individuals being identified by this name.
Shepherd is also quite common in Australia, with over 46,000 individuals bearing the name. It is the 59th most common surname in the country, and is especially rampant in the southern regions.
In India, the last name Shepherd is derived of the family name Shephard or Sheppard. This name is especially common among the Sikh community, wherein it is carried by an estimated 30,000 individuals.
Beyond its prevalence in these regions, Shepherd is also found in many other countries where English is spoken, as well as locations like the Caribbean and Middle East. It is thus quite a common surname all throughout the world, though it has different spelling and pronunciations, depending on the region.
Variations of the surname Sheperd
The surname Shepherd is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English word "shepherd" which means a person who tends sheep. Variants of the name include Sheppard, Shephard, Shepperd, Sheaberd, Shepherde, Shepparde and Sheperd, as well as Shepheard and Sheverend.
The earliest written record of this surname appears in the 13th century with William le Sheperd, a freeman of the Saddleworth near Oldham in Lancashire in 1251. Early records of the present spelling of Shepherd include John the Shepherd who appears in the Calendar of Pleas in 1375 and William and Aleyne Shepherde of London in the Subsidy Rolls of 1524.
The earliest known Shepherd surname bearer was Robert Shepperd, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1524. In 1652 Thomas Sheperd, a London merchant, arranged a loan from the East India company in exchange for East India goods.
The Shepherd surname has spread around the world, with Shepherds appearing in the Continental Europe in the 1600s, Australia in the 1700s and the United States in the 1800s. It is one of the most popular surnames in the world today, with many variations in spelling.
In the early 20th century, spellings evolved and a variety of Shepherds were living in the USA, ranging from Shepards, Shepards, Shepperds and Sheppards, to names such as Sheppard, Shepperd, Shepheard, Shepherd, Sheaved and Sheprone. In fact, the most common variants of the surname Shepperd in the USA today are Shepards, Sheppards and Sheppards, reflecting the evolution of the spelling of this surname over time.
Famous people with the name Sheperd
- Cybill Shepherd: American actress best known for roles in Taxi Driver and Moonlighting
- Laura Sheperd: a British former competitive race walker
- David Shepherd: British conservationist
- Sam Shepherd: American Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, and actor
- Sue Shepherd: Australian dietician and nutritionist
- Kevin Shepherd: a former NFL linebacker
- Jason Sheperd: a British music producer and songwriter
- Emma Shepherd: English comedian
- Luke Shepherd: English singer-songwriter and producer
- John Shepherd: English racing driver
- David Sheperd: Australian musician, composer, and conductor
- Sam Sheperd: English golfer
- Pauline Sheperd: English actress and television presenter
- Graham Sheperd: Canadian author, artist, and illustrator
- Ian Sheperd: English record producer and audio engineer
- Gary Shepherd: Northern Irish politician
- Steve Sheperd: Australian volleyball player
- Taylor Shepherd: American actress
- Kate Sheperd: English television host
- Leon Sheperd: American wheelchair athlete and actor