Surname Sheperson - Meaning and Origin
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Sheperson: What does the surname Sheperson mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Sheperson is unknown. It is thought to be of English origin, however, and is a variant of the surname Sheppard which means 'shepherd.' Sheperson may be a variant of this or a derivative of the occupational surname ‘Shepherden’ which means a keeper of sheep. It is quite a rare surname and is found in various different spellings. It is thought that the name may have evolved from the Middle English word ‘shepeheard’ which has been used to refer to someone who tends to and looks after flocks of sheep, identifying Sheperson as a surname related to animal husbandry.
Ultimately, this last name is associated with the sheep industry. Records of the name can be found throughout history, with the earliest being Thomas Shephard registered in the Assize Court Records of 1219. It is also found in British documents such as the Will of Catherine Sheperson, recorded in London in 1583.
Today, the name Sheperson is still in use and is located in the United States, United Kingdom and parts of Europe. It has been adopted by members of different cultures and countries, and has spread around the world with immigration and emigration. It can provide insight into the past of the family and is a reminder of the occupations of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisSheperson: Where does the name Sheperson come from?
The last name Sheperson is a relatively uncommon name today, with people usually having the name being located in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, the last name Sheperson has only about 200 listings in the US Census Bureau listings.
Based on the last name's uniqueness, Sheperson has its roots in North America rather than from an international origin. The name has become more common in the US in recent years, as it has seen more acceptance and embrace by individuals who adopt it as their last name.
A large majority of Shepersons can be found in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, where they have become increasingly popular, particularly among young individuals. Sheperson is becoming increasingly more common in larger cities in the U.S. too, as it is adopted by individuals who want to stand out from the crowd.
The sheer numbers of the Sheperson population are still comparatively small today, and it is likely to remain that way, given the name’s peculiar origin and lack of widespread lineage internationally. In fact, it is so rare, that even finding other relatives of the same name can be difficult, as chances of coming across a Sheperson with the same family name are rarely encountered outside of North America itself.
Variations of the surname Sheperson
The surname Sheperson is derived from the Old English personal name Scheop or Scheoppe, which is derived from the Old English word "scheop", meaning 'shepherd'. Common variants of this surname include Shepperd, Shepheard, Shepherdson, Sheeperson, Schepper, and Shepperson.
Shepperson is likely the most common variant, followed by Shepperd. Shepheard and Sheperson are less common. The -son suffix following some of its variants such as Sheppardson and Sheeperson signifies 'son of' the shepherd.
The name is also found in other nations with different spellings. In Germany, for instance, Schäppperson, Schäpper and Schäpe are all variants of Sheperson. In Poland, Szeperson is its variant.
The Irish variant of Sheperson is O'Shepherd. This is likely the result of the name becoming adapted into Gaelic with the prefix 'O', meaning 'son of'.
Nicknames for the surname Sheperson include Sheppy, Shep, Sherry, and Shepper. All of these serve to reflect the original meaning of the name, by referring to a 'shepherd-like' character.
Some other surnames from the same origin are Stanhope, Shope, Schoppe and Schoppenhorst. All of these surnames reflect the original meaning of 'shepherd'.
Famous people with the name Sheperson
- Adriana Sheperson: Austrian writer and producer.
- Leah Sheperson: American blogger, fashion influencer and lifestyle creator.
- Whitney Sheperson: Realtor and Guitar Player.
- Bart Sheperson: Former NFL player.
- Elizabeth Sheperson: British actress.
- Brad Sheperson: Music producer and engineer.
- Dara Sheperson: Canadian Feminist Activist and Artist.
- Spencer Sheperson: Acting coach.
- Dylan Sheperson: Youtuber girl who makes fun and interesting videos.
- Salome Sheperson: American Voiceover talent.
- Wayne Sheperson: Canadian businessman and entrepreneur.
- Mark Sheperson: Detective and Consultant on various Crime Investigation Series.
- Jeanine Sheperson: Grammy-Nominated Singer.
- Donna Sheperson: Professional florist.
- Maxine Sheperson: Hawaiian hula dancer and choreographer.
- Emmylou Sheperson: Singer-Songwriter.
- Tony Sheperson: Circus performer and acrobat.
- Jake Sheperson: Indie Game Developer.
- Tara Sheperson: Entrepreneur and Electronics Engineer.
- Rosalind Sheperson: Vector Illustrator.