Surname Shepherd - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Origins of the Surname 'Shepherd' With iGENEA DNA Test: An Insightful Journey Through My Lineage

The exploration of my ancestry using the iGENEA DNA test was a significant revelation, offering an extensive understanding of the lineage associated with my surname, "Shepherd". Through modern genetic testing techniques and comprehensive analysis, the results unveiled a vibrant history of my ancestors stretching across different regions of Europe.

D. Shepherd

Shepherd: What does the surname Shepherd mean?

The last name Shepherd is of English origin and it is occupational in nature. The name traditionally refers to someone who herded and took care of sheep, showing a family's lineage to the occupation of shepherding. It is derived from the Old English words "sceap," which means "sheep," and "hierde," which means "herdsman" or "guardian." In many cultures, shepherds were highly regarded for their important role in the rural economy, providing wool for clothing, and meat and milk for sustenance. Over time, as cultures became less agrarian, their names remained even when they moved onto other professions, passing the names down to their descendants. Today, Shepherd remains a fairly common surname in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.

Shepherd: Where does the name Shepherd come from?

The last name Shepherd is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, which has the highest population of Shepherds in Europe. However, Shepherd is also a common surname in the United States, as well as other parts of the world such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand.

In the United States, the Shepherd surname is most commonly found in the Southern states, with the highest concentrations in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. It is also one of the 25 most common surnames in the United Kingdom, with the highest concentration in West Yorkshire.

Shepherd is also a popular last name in other parts of the world, including countries such as India, Pakistan, and China. In India, Shepherd is more commonly found in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. In Pakistan, the surname is most common in Lahore and Karachi, and in China, it is one of the top 30 surnames in the Jiangsu province.

Overall, the Shepherd surname is quite wide-spread and it is likely that it started to spread with the migration of people from the United Kingdom to other parts of the world in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variations of the surname Shepherd

The surname Shepherd has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These are as follows:

Shepherd: The most common spelling of the surname, from the Old English word ‘sceaphierde’, literally meaning a ‘sheep herder’.

Shepard: This variant is found mainly in the United States.

Sheppard: This variant is mainly found in Scotland and Ireland.

Kingman: This variant is derived from the French surname Le Shepherd, meaning ‘the shepherd’.

LeShepherd: A Norman-French version of the surname.

LeShepard: An alternative form, also derived from the Norman-French version.

Le Shepher: This variant is found mainly in Plymouth, Devon, England and originally denoted a person of Scottish origin.

Shephard: This variant is found mainly in Scotland and Ireland; a derivative of the Middle English spelling.

Sheppard: This variant is found mainly in England.

Shepperd: This variant is found mainly in Yorkshire, England.

Shereddan: This variant is derived from the female version of ‘shepherd’ and is found mainly in Yorkshire, England.

Sheppardston: This variant is found mainly in Bradford, England and is derived from the Old English word ‘sceaphierdstone’, meaning a small settlement of shepherds located near a roadside inn.

Sherard: This variant is often found in Ireland, Scotland and England.

Sherrard: This variant is found mainly in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Yorkshire, England.

Sherratt: This variant is found mainly in Manchester, England and is derived from the Norman-French ‘Le Shepherd’.

Sett: This variant is also found mainly in Yorkshire, England and is derived from the female version of ‘shepherd’.

Shapherd: This variant is found mainly in Cumbria, England.

The surname Shepherd is also occasionally found as a Jewish name.

Famous people with the name Shepherd

• Cybill Shepherd: American actress, singer, and former model, known for roles such as in The Last Picture Show, Taxi Driver, Moonlighting and more.
• Debbie Shepherd: British Actress who has appeared in films and television programs such as The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Tales of the Unexpected and Casualty.
• David Shepherd: English landscape and wildlife painter, known for his attempts to preserve the endangered Black Rhino.
• Edith Shepard: American Actress that starred in The Music Man, Sergeant York and The Harvey Girls.
• Evan Shepherd: Canadian musician and composer known for his work with the rock band Our Lady Peace and the soundtrack for the Disney movie Enchanted.
• Hugh Shepherd: Canadian radio, television and stage actor, known for performing in productions such as Charley's Aunt, Outrageous Fortune, and How the West Was Won.
• Paul Shepherd: British actor best known for his roles in the television series 8 Out of 10 Cats, Blackadder, and Monty Python's Flying Circus.
• Nate Shepherd: American former professional basketball player who played for the Atlanta Hawks and was a two-time All-American in college.
• Tom Shepherd: British actor best known for appearing in films such as Lady Jane, Hope and Glory, and Agatha.
• Sam Shepherd: English actor best known for his roles in films such as The Insider, Henry V, Fahrenheit 451, and Enigma.

Other surnames

ShepheardShepherdson