Surname Sheppard - Meaning and Origin

Navigating the Beautiful Chaos of Ancestry: Surprising Revelations from my iGENEA DNA Test and The Sheppard Surname Origins

My recent iGENEA DNA test uncovered surprising and unexpected ties to my Sheppard lineage. Contrary to long-held beliefs of being predominantly English, I was enthralled to find proof of ties to Scandinavian, Celtic, and even central European heritage, enriching my understanding of my ancestral past and reshaping my personal identity.

D. Sheppard

Sheppard: What does the surname Sheppard mean?

Sheppard is a surname of English origin that is derived from the Middle English term "schepherde" which means "sheep herder." It was given to individuals who worked as shepherds, herding sheep as their livelihood, indicating an occupational origin of this surname. This occupational surname was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Generally, these types of surnames were understood as expressions of where someone worked or what type of job they performed. Over time, Sheppard has varied in many forms, including Shepherd, Shephard, Sheppard, and others. It is widespread in the English-speaking world and has significance within the historical context of the United Kingdom and Ireland. However, its meaning may potentially be misunderstood as it varies in translation across different cultures and languages.

Sheppard: Where does the name Sheppard come from?

The last name Sheppard is most commonly found in English-speaking countries around the world. In the United States, the most recent census reported that the last name Sheppard appears in all 50 states, with particularly high densities present in states like Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In the United Kingdom, the last name Sheppard is most common in England, Scotland, and Wales. In Canada, the last name is also widely found, with particularly high densities present in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Australia and New Zealand are also home to a large number of Sheppards. In Australia, most major cities have a population of Sheppards, while in New Zealand, the name is most commonly found in Auckland and Christchurch. The last name Sheppard is also present in parts of the Caribbean, including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. In South Africa, the last name Sheppard is most commonly found in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces. Finally, Sheppards are also found in many other countries around the world, including Germany, Austria, France, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

Variations of the surname Sheppard

The surname Sheppard is an Anglicized spelling of the Old French name "le Shepherde" which is derived from the word "shepherd", meaning "shepherd" in English. The various variants andspellings of the surname Sheppard include Shephard, Sheperd, Sheppard, Shepperd, Shippard, Shipperd, and Sheperdson.

The use of surnames in England began around the thirteenth century and surnameswere derived from occupations, locations, and nicknames. As shepherding was a common occupation during that time, many of those with the surname Sheppard or a variant of the name likely originated from having ancestors who were shepherds.

Within the British Isles, the surname Sheppard is mainly found in Yorkshire in England, with smaller concentrations in Northumberland, Lancashire, and Durham. The Sheppard surname is also quite common in Scotland and Ireland.

The various surname variants of Sheppard stemming from the Old French root are all common surnames throughout the British Isles with people of British, English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry alike having that surname or one of its variants. There are also those of French ancestry who have a variant of the surname from the original Old French root.

The most common surnames derived from the Sheppard surname include Shepherd, Sheperd, and Shipperd. Variants originating from Scottish ancestors include Sheppardson, Shippard, and Shepperd. There are also those with variants of the surname Sheppard from Ireland with surnames such as Shepard, Shippert, and Sheperdson.

Famous people with the name Sheppard

• Toby Sheppard Bloch: American multi-instrumentalist and composer
• Dan Sheppard: British actor, best known for his role on Coronation Street
• Alan Sheppard: British golfer
• Sam Sheppard: American neurosurgeon found guilty of murder and then exonerated
• J.J. Sheppard: American country music singer-songwriter
• Bob Sheppard: American announcer for the New York Yankees
• Mae Sheppard: American poet, writer, and editor
• Chevonne Sheppard: American basketball player
• Tove Sheppard: Swedish actress
• Maura Sheppard: Canadian novelist, short story writer, and poet
• Kate Sheppard: New Zealand women's rights leader
• Chris Sheppard: Canadian musician and DJ
• Roy Sheppard: Australian rugby league player
• Corey Sheppard: American football player
• Kevin Sheppard: Irish professional basketballer
• Jonathan Sheppard: American Thoroughbred horse trainer
• Jack Sheppard: notorious British thief and gaolbreaker
• Jack Sheppard Jr.: British actor and comedian
• Gary Sheppard: British rower
• Fred Sheppard: British olympic runner

Other surnames

Sheppardson