Surname Schear - Meaning and Origin

Schear: What does the surname Schear mean?

The surname Schear is of German origin. It is believed to be a variant of the German surname 'Scherer', which originally referred to an individual who worked as a cutter or shearer. This was likely a profession in the textile industry, such as a cutter of cloth or a sheep shearer. Names that were derived from an occupation were very common in Europe during the Middle Ages, as they were often associated with the job or trade of the individual. This provided an easy way to identify people in small communities where many shared the same first name. The name Schear can also be found among Ashkenazi Jewish communities, possibly adopted from the same German root or for similar occupational reasons. Over time and generations, the original spelling may have been altered resulting in variations like Schear.

Schear: Where does the name Schear come from?

The last name Schear is commonly found in parts of Europe today, especially in Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. The Schear surname was likely derived from the Germanic word “schur,” meaning “short” or “brief.” This could have referred to many different things when used as a last name, including a description of a personal appearance, or a descriptor of someone’s character or background.

In more recent times, Schear is a relatively uncommon last name in the United States. According to the US Census, there were roughly 918 people with the Schear surname living in the US in 2010. This is a significantly lower number than many other last names, such as Smith and Johnson, which ranked second and third on the list of the most common surnames, respectively.

The Schear surname also appears in other countries around the world, such as the UK, Canada, and even Australia. However, the surname is most commonly found in Europe, with the Netherlands and Germany having the greatest number of individuals sharing the surname. It is also present in parts of Latin America, such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

Overall, the Schear surname is not particularly common anywhere in the world, and its origins remain largely unknown. However, it can be found primarily in parts of Europe, especially Germany and the Netherlands. It is also present in the United States, the UK, Canada, and even Australia.

Variations of the surname Schear

The surname Schear has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variants of the Schear surname include Schär, Shear, Sheer, Sheir, Scher, Schere, Scherr and Scharr. It is a Germanic surname deriving from Middle High German 'scaere', meaning a cutter or one who cut things such as cloth or leather.

Variations of the Schear surname can also be found in other countries. In France, it is spelled Schere, whereas in Scotland, it is often spelled Sheir, Sherr or Sheer. In Russia, it is spelled Scher, and in England, it is mostly spelled Shear.

Surnames derived from the Schear family include Shearer, Scherr, Sherrer, Shears, Scharr, Scharer, Sear, Schultheis, Scholz, Schulz and Shultz. All of these surnames originated from the same root, which is derived from the Germanic word ‘scaere’.

The Schear surname also evolved in many other forms such as Sheehan, Sheikh, Shervick, Shewry, Shewen, Shewchuk and Shechter. The Jewish variant of the name is spelled Shechter or Shechtman, while the French version is spelled Schaeffer. No matter which variant of the Schear surname is used, it will eventually trace back to the same root word.

The Schear surname can be found scattered all across the globe and has been adopted by many people of different backgrounds. The popularity of this family name over the centuries has ensured it will remain in use for years to come.

Famous people with the name Schear

• Lauren Schear: American actress, model, producer and singer.
• Joseph Schear: Italian actor, model and singer.
• Jonathan Schear: English actor, comedian, writer and director.
• Mark Schear: American film producer and executive.
• Rob Schear: American actor, producer, and reality television star.
• John Schear: American actor, comedian and voice actor.
• Judy Schear: American documentary filmmaker and photographer.
• Jeff Schear: Canadian film actor, producer, and director.
• Jennifer Schear: American television and film producer.
• Morgan Schear: Canadian film actress and director.

Other surnames

SchearerSchears