Surname Shirk - Meaning and Origin
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Shirk: What does the surname Shirk mean?
The surname Shirk is of German origin and is believed to have been derived from the Middle High German word "schurke," meaning "rogue" or "rascal". It is likely to have started as a nickname for a mischievous or cunning individual. In some cases, the name could also be locational, coming from a place name. Like many surnames, over centuries and migrations, it has different spelling variations such as Schirk, Shurk, Shirke, etc. across different regions. Additionally, it's worth noting that in the context of Islam, "shirk" is an Arabic term that refers to the sin of practicing idolatry or polytheism, i.e., the deification or worship of anyone or anything other than the singular God. However, this has no connection to the German surname of Shirk.
Order DNA origin analysisShirk: Where does the name Shirk come from?
The last name Shirk is most commonly found today in the United States. As of the most recent U.S. census in 2020, there were at least 887 people with the last name Shirk living in the United States. The Shirk family is an American family, and the name is believed to be of German origin. The name Shirk is also commonly found in Pennsylvania, where there are at least 253 Shirk family members living in the state. The Shirk name is also found in Canada, Australia, Germany, and England.
In the United States, Shirk is generally found in large cities, such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Houston. The Shirk family is concentrated in states such as Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland, and Indiana. There is also a large Shirk family presence in New York State, where there are at least 73 Shirk family members living in the state.
As the Shirk family has spread throughout the United States, different variations of the name have risen in different regions. In the Midwest, the name is often spelled "Shurk", while in the South, the spelling "Shurke" is common. In the West, the name is typically spelled "Shurk". Despite the various spellings, however, all of these variations of the Shirk name have a common origin.
Variations of the surname Shirk
The surname Shirk is of German origin and its variants can be attestured in the form Shurk, Schurk, Schirk, Schurke, Scherk, Scherke, Shurke, Shirkie and Sherk. All of these surnames indicate the same Germanic origin but just have slight differences in their spellings.
During the migration of Germans to various parts of the world as a result of WWI & WWII and throughout history, slight changes in the spellings of these surnames arose. In some instances, the letter "Sch" which is a Germanic letter, was substituted for the letter "Sh" in the spelling of the surname with the end result being "Shurk” or "Shirk". It can also be seen with the use of a “ck” instead of an “ke” in the spelling of the surname.
The surname Sherk is also related to the Shirk surname and is considered as a variant or an alternate spelling. Its origin is derived from the Germanic personal names that start with ‘Scher’, ‘Schur’ or ‘Schurr’. These names were derived from the Germanic schurzen or ‘shield’, which denoted a warrior or someone who was brave and heroic.
The surname Shirk is commonly found in the United States and Canada, as well as in various parts of Europe, Australia, South Africa and other parts of the world. It is also commonly found as a part of many different ethnicities such as Germanic, Dutch, French, Swedish, Irish and Scottish.
Famous people with the name Shirk
- Stephanie Shirk: Miss Missouri in 2017
- Dianne Shirk: Author of the book “On Target Living.”
- Judy Shirk: Former state director for U.S. Senator Carl Levin.
- Andrew Shirk: Professional Jazz Musician.
- Steven Shirk: CEO of Hoblins Interactive.
- Joseph Shirk: Jazz trombonist and composer.
- David Shirk: Director of the Trans-Border Institute at University of San Diego.
- Peter Shirk: Actor and producer.
- Josephine Shirk: Winner of the 1986 National Book Award in fiction for “The Killing Ground.”
- Justine Shirk: Founder of the social enterprise DIGA Imports.
- Mark Shirk: Commercial and residential real estate developer.
- Sarah Shirk: American actress.
- Kurt Shirk: Lawyer and politician.
- Hannah Shirk: Certified wildlife rehabilitator and animal behaviorist.
- Christine Shirk: American artist.
- John Shirk: Olympic skier.
- Nathan Shirk: American professional bass fisherman.
- Will Shirk: American football player.
- Aaron Shirk: Entertainment lawyer.
- Margaret Shirk: English novelist.