Surname Shock - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Shock: What does the surname Shock mean?
The surname Shock has its origins in Germany, where it primarily functioned as a nickname before evolving into a last name. It is derived from the Middle High German word "schoc," which translates to "violent or rude person" or "resistant." So, it was likely given to individuals known for their stubborn or harsh demeanor. However, it could also be an occupational name for a person who made or sold shock absorbers or a topographic name for someone living by a projecting rock, derived from the Old English word 'sceac'. Like many surnames, the specific meaning for any individual family would depend on their historical lineage and circumstances. Today, the surname Shock is found in many parts of the world due to migration and globalization, but it is still most common in the regions where it originated. It is important to note that over time, the connotations associated with this surname have evolved and are not necessarily applicable to those who bear it today.
Order DNA origin analysisShock: Where does the name Shock come from?
The surname Shock is primarily found in the United States today. Many French-Canadians and German-Americans also use this surname. It is believed to be derived from the German word ‘Schock’, which is a term used to describe a loud noise or sudden surprise.
The 2000 census found that the highest occurrence of the Shock surname in the United States was in Pennsylvania, where more than 17,500 individuals associated with the name were living. Other states where the name is also found in significant numbers are Illinois, Washington, California, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and New Jersey.
A search through the Social Security Administration (SSA) database shows that the Shock surname is more common in the northeast states than the rest of the country. The Shock name is also showing an increase in popularity in the southern part of the United States. There is also a small but steady presence of this name in the southwestern states of California, Texas, and Arizona.
Due to its French-Canadian or German etymology, it is likely that individuals with the Shock surname also can be found in certain parts of France, as well as in other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Shock
The surname Shock is a popular English name derived from the Middle English word 'shok'. Shock has been spelled in a variety of ways, including Shokke, Schok, Schooke, Schokke, Shockey, Shack, Shacke, Shackell, Shooke and Shook.
Most common variant spellings are Shokke and Schok, which both evolved, over time, to become the modern spelling of Shock. Other variations are thought to be the result of an incorrect transcription of the name in the 18th century when official records began.
The other early variant spellings suggest a Germanic origin. Schokke and Schooke may be derived from the "Schocke," a type of hare, and also from the Middle Middle German words 'schoce' or 'schoch' which mean 'irregularly shaped'. Schock and Shockey could be derived from a type of fabric with slubbed yarn, or from a word meaning 'spotted.' The -ke at the end of the variants may also be derived from the Germanic 'k' suffix meaning 'a person from.'
Shock is also an anglicised version of the Irish surname O'Seachnasaigh which means 'descendant of Seachnasach.' Seachnasach was coined to represent a strong willed individual and became an Irish surname. O'Seachnasaigh has been Anglicised into Shock and O'Shaughnessy.
The variants for Shock vary depending on the origin of the surname and the geographical location the family resided in (e.g. Scotland, England or Ireland).
Famous people with the name Shock
- Samantha Shock: a fashion blogger better known as Little Bow Chic.
- Maroon Shock: an internet personality and video game streamer.
- Bobby Shock: a former Major League Baseball pitcher with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
- Geno Shock: an American professional basketball player.
- Ryan Shock: a contestant on the popular American reality television series Survivor.
- Adam Shock: an American television and movie actor.
- Toni Shock: an American television host, actress, and producer.
- Barbara Shock Brown: a British author, playwright, and columnist.
- Ruth Shock: an American political activist, journalist, and author.
- Lindsey Shockley: an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.