Surname Sneed - Meaning and Origin

Incredible Ancestral Journey: Unraveling My Sneed Heritage Through DNA Testing

The DNA test at iGENEA opened an unexpected realm of ancestral history for myself which reshaped my understanding of my heritage and identity. The test provided astounding revelations about the diverse cultures and migratory patterns of my Sneed ancestors which were a blend of British and Scandinavian roots, stretching across Europe and America.

V. Sneed

Sneed: What does the surname Sneed mean?

The surname Sneed is of English origin and is derived from the Old English term "snead," which means a pole or a shaft, specifically those used as a component in a wagon or cart. It might have been used as an occupational surname for someone who made or used such tools or equipment. As with many surnames, Sneed may pertain to the profession or trade of people during the period when surnames began to be used. Therefore, individuals with the Sneed surname may trace their ancestry to individuals involved in such crafts or trades. However, like many surnames, its exact origin may also vary, as it might originate from different clans or families from disparate regions.

Sneed: Where does the name Sneed come from?

The last name Sneed is most commonly found in the United States, with the highest concentrations located in the southeastern region of the country. According to the 2020 United States Census data, the states with the highest numbers of Sneed residents are North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Given its prevalence in the Southeast US, it is not surprising that the Sneed name is of English origin as this region was one of the first areas of British colonization in America. While the name has been used as a cognomen since the late 1700s, it’s uncertain exactly when the surname first arose.

Today, Sneed can be found across the US, although it’s most closely associated with the Southeastern region. The name is most commonly held by white individuals, with 92.19% of those bearing it identifying as White, 2.67% as Black, 2.05% as Hispanic or Latino, 0.99% as Asian, 0.73% as two or more races, and 0.37% as American Indian or Alaska Native.

Most who carry the Sneed name today are either direct descendants of the original Sneeds or have adopted it as a surname through marriage. While it is not as ubiquitous as other surnames in the US, such as Smith and Johnson, the Sneed name is still fairly recognizable and carries a proud heritage in the American Southeast.

Variations of the surname Sneed

The surname Sneed is thought to have been derived from the Middle English word sned, which means to chop or cut. It is most commonly found as Sneed, but other variants and spellings include Snead, Snede, Sneddon, Snide and Sneet. Some of the surnames also have alternate origins, such as Snead which is also an anglicization of the Hebrew surname Schneyder.

There are a few theories about the origin of the surname Sneed. One is that it originated as a nickname for a person who chopped wood, while another suggests that the name is from an Old English word meaning fresh or new. It is also possible that Sneed is derived from the Middle English word snod, which means to weed or trim.

Variations of the surname Sneed are found in many countries, including England, Scotland, Wales, Zimbabwe, Australia and the United States. In Scotland, the surname is found as Sneddon and Snide, while in Wales it is found as Snuddon and Sned. In the United States it is commonly found as Snead, Snede and Sneet. In Australia and Zimbabwe the surname is found as Sneed.

Various variants and spellings of Sneed have come up over the years, but the surname is most commonly found as Sneed. It is an interesting surname, and it is likely that any variants are derived from the same root name, although some are derived from different sources.

Famous people with the name Sneed

• Samuel Sneed: a professional drummer originally from Atlanta, Georgia, now based in Los Angeles, California.
• Amber Sneed: an American singer, songwriter, and actor.
• Mark Sneed: an American attorney and politician.
• Jennifer Sneed: a retired professional basketball player.
• Hubert Sneed: a former professional baseball player.
• Johnny Sneed: a former professional basketball player.
• J. P. Sneed: a former professional football player.
• Louanna Sneed: an American politician.
• Michael C. Sneed: a preacher and former chaplain of the University of Connecticut football team.
• William E. Sneed III: an American jazz saxophonist.
• Wilbur Sneed: a former professional golfer.
• Robert Sneed: an American broadcast journalist known as "Bob Sneed".
• Johnson Sneed: an American professional basketball player.
• Tucker Sneed: an American politican.
• Page Sneed: an American professional wrestler.
• Ted Sneed: an American businessman and politician.

Other surnames

Sneeds