Surname Kershaw - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Kershaw Lineage: A Genetic Journey of Self Discovery

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S. Kershaw

Kershaw: What does the surname Kershaw mean?

The surname Kershaw is of Old English origin and is a locational name, deriving from the place called Kershaw in Lancashire. The name is derived from the Old English personal name "Ceorl" meaning "freeman" or "peasant" and "sceaga" meaning "wood" or "grove", thus "Ceorl's wood or grove". It could be interpreted as "dweller by the wood of the freeman". Like many surnames of this nature, it can be associated with families who once lived, held land, or were in some way associated with such a location. The spelling of the name has evolved over time and has several variations such as Kershawe, Kershow or Kershall. The family crest associated with Kershaw is a silver shield with a black bend and three black escallops. Given its locational origins, the surname was likely more prominent after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when the division and naming of lands became more important.

Kershaw: Where does the name Kershaw come from?

The surname Kershaw is of English origin, deriving from the Old Norse name Kirkjusaetr, which combines ‘kirkja’ (meaning church) and ‘saetr’ (meaning settlement or farm). Thus, the name Kershaw likely signified a farm or settlement near a church. Specifically, it is believed that the name originated in the North West county of Lancashire during the early Middle Ages, and was first recorded in Yorkshire in the 13th century.

Today, the name is still most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern England, reflecting its regional origins. The name can be found in places like Lancashire and Yorkshire. However, due to historical emigration, Kershaw is also relatively common in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the U.S., it might be famous due to Clayton Kershaw, a professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nonetheless, it is still predominantly a British surname.

Variations of the surname Kershaw

The surname Kershaw is of Old Norse origin, derived from the words "kjarr", which means marsh or fen, and "haugr", meaning hill or mound. It is often found in northern England, particularly in Yorkshire. Variants of the name include Kershawe, Kershow, Kirshaw, Kercher, Kershay, and Kirkshaw.

There are also many phonetically similar surnames that could potentially be considered as forms or variants of Kershaw, like Kerschner, Kershner, Kerchner, Kercher, Kerslake, and so on. These spelling variations often occurred because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, causing frequent changes in a single person's name.

Additionally, Kershaw is a locational surname, which could have influenced its variants across regions. A locational surname is given to a person who lived near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree or who lived near a specific town or village. Over time, as families migrated, the surname would sometimes change to reflect the new location, leading to numerous variants.

Moreover, there are names that are not variants but may be mistaken as related due to phonetic similarity, such as Hershaw, Kersey, Herschel, Cashaw. These names have separate origins but may sometimes be confused with Kershaw.

Famous people with the name Kershaw

• Clayton Kershaw: An American professional baseball player, widely considered one of the best pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball.
• Nik Kershaw: An English singer-songwriter, most recognized for his hit singles in the mid-1980s.
• Sam Kershaw: An American country music artist.
• Doug Kershaw: An American fiddle player, singer and songwriter popularly known as the "Ragin' Cajun."
• Rick Kershaw: Former professional football player in the National Football League.
• Kitty Kershaw: A British actress known for starring in the television series, "Holby City."
• Rusty Kershaw: An American country singer and songwriter, Doug Kershaw's brother.
• Lee Kershaw: An Australian Rugby League player.
• Cydney Kershaw: A professional Canadian footballer.
• Harley Kershaw: A Canadian opera singer.
• Jessy Kershaw: A well-known Canadian broadcaster.
• Matthew Kershaw: A high-ranking NHS manager based in the UK.
• Gabe Kershaw: A notable Australian contemporary artist.
• Elsa Kershaw: An early Australian film actress.
• Merna Kershaw: An Australian dancer and choreographer.
• Ted Kershaw: A former professional Canadian footballer.
• Josie Kershaw: A British TV producer.
• Joel Kershaw: A Canadian ice hockey player.
• Tony Kershaw: A renowned South African academic.
• Ian Kershaw: A leading British historian.

Other surnames

KershKershope