Surname Shires - Meaning and Origin

Shires: What does the surname Shires mean?

The surname Shires is of English origin and is a locational name derived from the Old English word 'scir', which means ‘bright’ or ‘fair’. The name was originally given to people who resided in or were from a shire. In medieval England, a shire was a division of land governed by a shire-reeve, or sheriff. Some of the earliest records of the surname date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, with variations of the spelling including Shire, Shires, Shyers, and others. Like many surnames, the exact origin and meaning can be difficult to determine due to changes in spelling and usage over centuries. However, the association with shire-reeves or sheriffs suggests that individuals with the Shires surname may have occupied official or administrative roles in their local communities.

Shires: Where does the name Shires come from?

The last name Shires is most commonly seen in the United Kingdom today. It is likely a British name as the word “shire” is a historical British county name, associated with medieval administrative divisions. It may even have been derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon term “scira”. Shires is the 21,469th most common surname in the UK, with 3,700 people in the 2011 UK census sharing it.

The surname is also found in the United States, especially in the South and Midwest. The variant spelling, “Shires,” tends to be more common in the UK, while “Shire” is more common in the US. In the United States, Shires is the 1,669th most common last name, with around 4,000 people sharing this surname in the 2000 US Census.

The surname Shires is also present in other parts of the world, such as Australia and New Zealand. It is found in fewer numbers in these countries due to the smaller population size. However, the name is still present in the countries’ genealogical records and can be traced back to British origins.

Overall, the last name Shires is still very common in the United Kingdom today, while its distribution is slightly less in other countries. It is likely that the name originates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon term “scira” and is associated with medieval administrative divisions of Britain. The last name Shires can also be found in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe with smaller numbers sharers.

Variations of the surname Shires

The surname Shires is a habitational name found in the United Kingdom and the United States. There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which include Shires, Shirees, Shireson, Shireson and Syers.

In the United Kingdom, the Shires family is derived from the Old English word 'Scir', a shire or administrative district, and likely originated as a locational name from a place called Shires. The surname Shires is most numerous in the southern counties of England, with the earliest recorded instance of the name relating to Galfridus de Shires, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1176.

In the United States, the surname Shires is mainly of English origin, with most occurrences in the south central states. This surname likely found its way to North America by early settlers during the 17th and 18th centuries, though the name may also have been brought over by some of the first plantation owners from England in the southern colonies.

Variants and spellings of the surname Shires include Shiers, Shireson, Syers and Shirees. These variations may have come about through simple mistakes when recording the name, such as spelling errors, mishearings or intentional alterations when individuals changed their name upon emigration. Surnames with the same origin as Shires include Shireman, Shiresmith and Shireswood.

Famous people with the name Shires

• Dave Shires: American actor and comedian, best known for his role in the television series "The Big Bang Theory" and Netflix movies "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and "F Is for Family".
• Davey Shires: American country music singer-songwriter. His breakout single was the Grammy-nominated "This Town Needs a Bar".
• Phillip Shires: American professional cyclist, who has won several races including the US Pro Road Cycling Championships.
• William Shires: American actor best known for playing a supporting role in the television series "The Sopranos".
• Ben Shires: British actor who is well known for his role in the BBC series "Defying Gravity".
• Bram Shires: British guitarist best known for his work in the rock band "Tears For Fears".
• Tony Shires: British actor and comedian, best known for his role in the British comedy film series "The Inbetweeners".
• David Shires: American artist and painter, who gained recognition for his work in the 1970s featuring bold colorful abstracts.
• Marcus Shires: American football player, who played for the San Francisco 49ers for two seasons.
• Mark Shires: American composer, arranger, and producer, best known for his work in the Broadway musicals "The Full Monty" and "Hairspray".

Other surnames

ShireShiremanShirerShirey