Surname Shepardson - Meaning and Origin
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Shepardson: What does the surname Shepardson mean?
The last name Shepardson is an English patronymic surname, meaning "son of Sheppard." The word Sheppard is derived from the Middle English language and is used to describe someone who is a shepherd, a person who looks after sheep.
The surname originated in the early Middle Ages in England and is generally linked to the rural English countryside and was often used to indicate landowners or farmers who specialized in raising sheep. This type of work carried a relatively high prestige during that period as it often required an extensive education in animal husbandry and the ability to efficiently move large amounts of livestock over long distances and keep them in good health.
Over time, the surname Shepardson has spread to other countries, most notably the United States of America. The precise locations where the surname became established or popular depends on the individual immigration histories of each family group that carried the name. Today, it is most commonly seen in the southern states of America.
In spite of its agricultural roots, Shepardson can now refer to any family or individual who traces their lineage through this surname. Consequently, while the name continues to be linked to its agricultural and rural roots, its contemporary usage represents the variety of people and occupations linked to its history.
Order DNA origin analysisShepardson: Where does the name Shepardson come from?
The surname Shepardson is somewhat common in North America. It is primarily found in the United States and Canada, though it's possible to find it in other parts of the world.
In the United States, the Shepardson surname is most prevalent in the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Maine. A somewhat comprehensive search of white page listings indicates that the largest concentrations are found in southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. In Canada, the surname is found in highest concentration in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Those with the Shepardson surname can trace their lineage to origins in England. The earliest recorded record of the name is from 1272, in Suffolk, England. In the United States, the first Shepardson family came from England in the 1600s.
Today, the Shepardson surname is an uncommon one in England and is instead limited mainly to North America. While Shepardsons are far from numerous, the distribution of the surname in the United States, Canada, and parts of the world is evidence of the international migrations which occurred centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Shepardson
The surname Shepardson is thought to be of early English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Sceaphird," which itself was derived from the Proto-Germanic name "Skafthard," meaning "shepherd." It is commonly spelled with an "e" in the last syllable in America, whilst in England the spellings are interchangeable with an "a". The Shepardson surname has many spelling variants and can be found spelled in a variety of different ways including Sheppardson, Shephardson, Shepherdson, Shepardson, Shepardsen, Shepperdson, Shepperdsen, Sheppardsen, Sheppardson, Sheppardson, Sheppardson, Sheppardsen, Sheppardsen, and Sheppardson.
This surname is also common in many other countries and is thought to have spread through Europe following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Variants of the surname can be found in Scotland, including Shepperson, Sheppar, Shappersone, and Scheppersum, as well as Sheppherdson in Ireland. International variants of the surname are numerous and includes Shepardson, Sepparaa, Seferdjian, Sefarzian, Siebdrath, and Zétépéra.
The Shepardson surname is still quite common today, mainly in the United States, although it can still be found in other countries, too. Notable people sharing this surname include American Olympic gold medalist Larry Shepardson, prominent American lawyer Seymour Shepardson, and American publisher Scott Shepardson.
Famous people with the name Shepardson
- Dr. Emily Shepardson: Jurassic fossil expert and curator at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
- Rachel Shepardson: former international relations researcher and notable historian.
- Phebe Shepardson: racehorse owner and former racing commissioner in Pennsylvania.
- Alice Shepardson: fitness guru and founder of Shepardson Fitness Programs.
- Waylon Shepardson: former professional US soccer player and current television commentator.
- Devin Shepardson: Olympic luger and bronze medalist at the 2001 Winter Games.
- Kristin Shepardson: award-winning playwright and stage director.
- Erin Shepardson: accomplished actress and founding member of the Pacific Theatre Company.
- Gilbert Shepardson: Academy Award-winning costume designer.
- Robert Shepardson: renowned jazz guitarist and member of the National Jazz Hall of Fame.