Surname Sears - Meaning and Origin
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G. Sears
read moreSears: What does the surname Sears mean?
The surname Sears is derived from an Old English personal name, Saeger or Saegar. It is a patronymic name, which means it has been derived from the name of a father or ancestor. The original name Saegar is composed of the elements "sae" or "sea" and "gar" or "spear". Thus, the combined meaning can be interpreted as “sea spear”. The surname Sears could therefore represent someone who is a seafarer or a warrior, referring to an individual who is as mighty as a sea or a person who uses a sea spear. It first appeared in various counties in England before the Norman Conquest in the late 11th century and has since spread to other parts of the English-speaking world. Like many surnames, the exact interpretation can vary and may also have evolved over time.
Order DNA origin analysisSears: Where does the name Sears come from?
The surname Sears is believed to have English and Irish origins. It is said to be derived from an Old French word "ciere" which means 'wax taper' and was used as a metonymic occupational name for someone who made or sold candles. The name could also originate from the Irish surname "Séar", anglicized from the Gaelic name "Ó Síoradáin".
In its early years, this surname was found in many areas of England and Ireland. Over time, it spread throughout the countries of the British Empire, particularly Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the United States, the Sears surname is quite common due to immigration from these countries.
Today, the last name Sears remains relatively common in English-speaking countries, including the United States, where it is most prevalent. Notable people with the Sears surname include Richard W. Sears, co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and actress Freddie Sears.
Variations of the surname Sears
The surname Sears is primarily derived from the Old English word "saer" which means "carpenter," suggesting it is an occupational surname for people who worked as carpenters. It might also be an anglicized variant of the Gaelic name Mac Saoghair, which originated from the Old Irish word "saor" meaning "free."
Various forms of spelling exist of the surname Sears. The most common alternate spelling is Sear. Other less common variants include Seares, Seers, Seares, and Seirs. It's also found as Searce, Searcy, and Sarcy in some regions.
As part of Irish and Scottish heritage, it can sometimes be found as MacSears, MacSear, MacSeer, or MacSearce. In some cases, it can also be joined with other words, such as Clearsears.
Cognates of this surname across different languages include Sierra (Spanish), Saer (Dutch), and Zarin (Russian). These names might be spelled differently, but it is suggested they have a common origin.
As with many surnames, variations in spelling can occur over time and distance due to regional variations in pronunciation, translation, or transcription errors. Thus, it’s possible there may be other, less common variants of Sears not mentioned.
Famous people with the name Sears
- J.C. Penney: J.C. Penney, also known as James Cash Penney, was an American businessman who founded the department stores J.C. Penney and Sears.
- David Sears: David Sears is an American screenwriter, director, and producer.
- Bob Sears: Bob Sears is an American pediatrician.
- Richard Warren Sears: Richard Warren Sears was an American merchant and co-founder of Sears, Roebuck, and Company.
- Ruth Whitney Sears: Ruth Whitney Sears was an American socialite, philanthropist, and the wife of Richard Warren Sears.
- Eddie Lambert Sears: Eddie Lambert Sears was an American football and baseball player.
- Charles S. Sears: Charles S. Sears was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sears, Roebuck, and Company.
- Mary Louise Sears: Mary Louise Sears was an American scientist and photographer.
- Landis Sears: Landis Sears was an American ocean researcher and physicist.
- Thomas Dale Sears: Thomas Dale Sears was an American author, editor, and publisher.