Surname Shows - Meaning and Origin

Shows: What does the surname Shows mean?

The last name Shows is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "sceaw," which means "look" or "view." This can be seen in the name of the Show family, which existed in 11th century England. During this time, the family name was spelled variously as Showe, Schawe, Schaw, Schawe, Showes, Showe and Shouws, but eventually evolved into the modern spelling Shows.

The Shows family had a long heritage in England, beginning in 1086 with records of William Showe, who was recorded as living in Dorset. The family was most likely deriving from Saxon or a similar stock and their early history is steeped in England's medieval culture. They were a family of nobility, who held prominent positions in society. This could be attributed to their strong warrior roots, and the Shows name became a sign of delegates and landowners.

Today, Shows is a name scattered across the globe, as descendants of the Shows family have spread out over the years. Those who carry the Shows name are likely to share important ties to their ancestors, and it is a reminder of England's past. Although the name has evolved over time, the roots of the Shows family remain in England and the original meaning of the name is still known today.

Shows: Where does the name Shows come from?

The surname Shows is a common one, found throughout many English-speaking countries, most notably in the United States. It is believed to have originated in Great Britain, or perhaps France, and is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon or Norman descent.

In the United States, a good portion of individuals bearing the last name Shows are located in the South or around the Appalachian Mountains. The states with the most Showses include Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia. In those areas, the Shows name is very common and is often associated with individuals of Scots-Irish origin.

The last name Shows is also prevalent in other parts of the world, particularly Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The frequency of the Shows name is also noticeable in segments of the United Kingdom, with counties like Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Cumbria having higher concentrations of Showses.

Genealogy research has revealed that many branches of the Shows family originated in the United States and that the family has acquired a wide range of surnames over the years.

Variations of the surname Shows

The Shows surname can be spelled various ways, including Shows, Schows, Shaws, Schaudes, Schawes, Showes, Shoees, Shawes, Schouws, and Shouse.

Shows is an English patronymic surname meaning "son of Show." It is likely derived from the Middle English personal name "Showe," which was a nickname for a helpful person or a comedian.

In Germany, a variant on the Shows surname appears to be Schaudes. It is likely derived from the Low German name "Schous," a nickname for an intelligence person or someone thought to be witty.

In Scotland, Shows has become a variant of the surname Shaws, which is derived from the Gaelic "seagh," meaning "old."

In Ireland, Shows is the variant of Shoees, which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O Siuthusaigh," meaning "descendant of the shadow."

In the United States, Schouws is now a variant of the Shows surname, derived from the Dutch surname "Schouws," meaning "maker of shoes."

In Australia, variants of the Shows surname include Schawes and Shawes. The former is likely derived from the English "schaw," meaning "woodland," and the latter is likely derived from the Middle English "schawe," meaning a stone wall or embankment.

In Canada, Showes has become the variant of the surname; it is likely derived from an occupational name meaning "maker of shoes."

Overall, Shows is a widely used surname with many variants based upon the respective regional language or dialect it is found in.

No matter the spelling, all these variants of the Shows surname appear to have the same origin.

Famous people with the name Shows

• Jamie Shows: an American country music singer-songwriter.
• Scott Shows: an American former professional football player in the NFL and NCAA.
• John Shows: an American writer, producer and director specializing in documentary films.
• Alana Shows: an American country music singer-songwriter.
• Pat Shows: an American former professional football player in the NFL.
• Thomas Shows: an American novelist and screenwriter.
• Samantha Shows: an American actress best known for her role in the Disney Channel show "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody."
• Aaron Shows: an American professional basketball player in the NBA.
• Robert Shows: an American retired professional basketball player.
• Philip Shows: an American film and television composer.

Other surnames

Show