Surname Schears - Meaning and Origin

Schears: What does the surname Schears mean?

The surname Schears appears to be of German origin but its exact meaning is not clearly documented or commonly known. Many German surnames derive from occupational names, geographical locations, and personal names but without specific historical records or etymological research, it's challenging to provide an accurate meaning. Surnames have evolved over the centuries due to factors such as regional dialects and illiteracy, leading to variations in spelling and pronunciation over time. Therefore, Schears could potentially be a variant of another German surname. In broad terms, understanding the meaning of a surname requires studying its etymology and historical usage within specific regional or cultural contexts.

Schears: Where does the name Schears come from?

The Schears surname can be found throughout the United States, though some regions appear to have more concentration. According to census records, states like Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey all carry relatively large populations of families with the Schears name. Other states where the name can be found include Michigan, Massachusetts, California, and Virginia. In parts of the Midwest, especially the bordering states of Indiana and Ohio, the Schears name can be quite common.

The Schears surname originated in Germany and immigrated to the US in the late 19th century and early 20th century, largely through Pennsylvania. The name has various spellings and pronunciation variations, including Shears, Schers, Scares, and sometimes Schires. Early immigrants selected Schears as the spelling of their surname as it provides a more literal translation to their native language.

Today, the Schears name can also be found throughout Europe. It is particularly common in Germany, where it is often spelled as "Scheer", and in farms near the Alsace region on the Germany/France border. The Schears name is also found in Poland, usually spelled as "Czers".

Overall, the Schears surname can be found in nearly every corner of the world, but is still most common in the Midwest of the US.

Variations of the surname Schears

The surname Schears is a patronymic surname from the Germanic given name 'Scher', which derived from a short form of Nicholas. Variants and spellings of this surname include Scherr, Scharr, Scheere, Scherre, Scherrer, Schere, Sherer, Schear, Schaer, Schaerer, Schaerre and Schärer.

The surname 'Schears' is a direct variant of Scherr and Scheere, both of which are found in the historic records of Germany beginning in the 12th century. Records show the change from Scher to Scheer and Schears began in the early 17th century as the spelling of surnames became more standardized. In most cases, the spelling changed gradually over the years, as it was spelled by the individual family member submitting the record.

The occurrence of the surname 'Schears' in North America is largely attributed to German migration from the Palatinate region in the period of the eighteenth and nineteenth century. During this period many families changed the spelling of their surname to Schears as a way of blending in with the majority population.

The surname Schears is a variant of several different last names, most commonly of German origin, and is found in records dating back to the 12th century. Over time, the surname has changed in spelling, sometimes gradually and other times more noticeably, but it still retains the same meaning. Despite it's German roots, the name is found all over the world, especially in North America, due to migration from Germany during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Famous people with the name Schears

• Elizabeth Schaeffer Schaars: Elizabeth Schaeffer Schaars is an American actress known for her roles in television and film. She has been seen in series such as Real World/Road Rules Challenge, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and The Blacklist.
• Barry Schears: Barry Schears is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He played primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics.
• Steve Schear: Steve Schear is an American actor known for his roles in films and television. He has appeared in the shows Arrested Development, ER, and NCIS.
• John Schear: John Schear was an American historian who wrote about the American Revolution. He wrote a book entitled The American Revolution in Literature and Art which was published in 1966.
• Scott Schear: Scott Schear is a former professional football player who played in the National Football League from 1988 to 1999. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 1988.
• Jennifer Schear: Jennifer Schear is an American artist who works primarily with photography and mixed media. She has exhibited her work in the United States, Europe, and South America and has been featured on the cover of several photography magazines.
• Don Schear: Don Schear is an American playwright, actor, and producer. He won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for The Will Rogers Follies in 1991. He has also produced and acted in numerous productions in both theatre and film.
• Karl Schear: Karl Schear was an American botanist and entomologist who worked extensively with research relating to insects and other pests that affect crops. He was the director of the Entomology Laboratory at Purdue University.

Other surnames

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