Surname Shirck - Meaning and Origin
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Shirck: What does the surname Shirck mean?
The surname Shirck is of German origin. In many instances, German surnames were derived from nicknames, geographical locations, professional trades, or physical traits. Numerous sources suggest that the surname Shirck might be a variation of the German word "schurke" which means rascal or villain, possibly indicating an ancestral figure with a cheeky or playful nature. However, others argue that the surname could be related to the Middle High German word "schurke" or "schürke" which refers to a type of garment, possibly connected to an ancestor who was a tailor or clothing dealer. It could also refer to someone from a locality with a similar name. Owing to the scarcity of documented evidence, these interpretations offer only plausible explanations. It should be remembered that surnames have evolved over centuries and may have undergone spelling changes, making it difficult to track the precise origin. The actual meaning and significance of the surname Shirck can be dependent on the individual family history.
Order DNA origin analysisShirck: Where does the name Shirck come from?
The last name Shirck is most commonly found in the United States today. The places in America that have the highest populations of Shirck households include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Within these states, the cities with the highest concentrations of Shircks include Chambersburg, PA; Wooster, OH; Grand Rapids, MI and Fort Wayne, IN. However, Shirck households are spread out over all fifty states and appear in smaller population centers, too.
The Shirck name originates in Germany and is thought to be derivatives of the German word "schurke" or "shurke" meaning knave or rascal. The Shirck family first settled in Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s. Many of the members of the family moved to what would become Ohio and Michigan during the frontier migration in the 19th century.
Though the Shirck last name is still common in the United States today, its frequency has decreased over time. As of the last US Census in 2020, there were only 1,155 households with the Shirck name in America. Nonetheless, the Shirck family still enjoys a strong presence in the United States today.
Variations of the surname Shirck
The surname Shirck is an anglicized form of the Germanic word “scheer”, which is derived from the Proto-Germanic “skīren.” This surname is found in various related variants, spellings, and surnames derived from this origin.
Variants of the name Shirck include Shirk, Schirck, Schirk, Schurk, Schurck, and Sherck. Another variant, Sherer, is similar to the name Shirk but is of German origin.
Alternate spellings of the name Shirck include Schyrch, Shyrck, and Schürrch.
Surnames of the same origin include Scherr, Schurr, Shear, Sheer, Sheerin, Sheering, Sheeran, and Sheerin.
Common surnames derived from the same root word include Schraeder, Scherrer, Scheriff, and Schulz.
It is also worth noting that many other surnames derived from this origin sound similar to Shirk. These surnames include Scheiderer, Scheurrer, and Shriver.
Overall, the surname Shirck is an anglicized version of the Germanic word “scheer”, and it has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Shirck
- Heather Shirk: Canadian athlete who competed in the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team in the 2012 London Olympics.
- Tom Shirk: U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II and received the Navy Cross medal of honor.
- Mel Shirk: Retired professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox.
- Hannah Shirk: Award-winning author whose works include “A Sparrow in the Snow” and “The Narrow Gate”.
- David Shirk: Award-winning documentary filmmaker who directed “Too Cold Outside” and “Resilience.”
- Jason Shirk: Retired professional basketball player who was a member of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks from 1996-2000.
- Matthew Shirk: American soccer coach who has served as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams at the University of Chicago.
- Paul Shirk: American radio personality and music producer who was a co-host on the popular "The Sunday Breakfast Show”.
- John Shirk: Former basketball player who was a standout for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before joining the NBA's Chicago Bulls in 1976.
- Steve Shirk: Retired professional wrestler who wrestled in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 1999-2004.