Shepherd Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Shepherd Name Meaning: Occupational name for a shepherd from Middle English words meaning 'sheep' & 'herdsman'

It is claimed that records from before the tenth century show a notable Shepherd family from Dorset with battle-axes on their Coat of Arms. This could refer to an ancient trade of shepherds who had nothing to do with sheep, but who dug defenses with their battle-axes around battlements for Saxon villages. The name became widespread across southern England by the 13th century & also has ancient history in Scotland.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Shepherd Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Shepherd family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 503
Female Servant 344
Independent 240
Farmer 172
Male Servant 140
Labourer 136
Shoe Maker 83
Cotton Weaver 70
Ag Labourer 48
Dress Maker 42
Weaver 39
Apprentice 37
Blacksmith 36
Pauper 35
Tailor 34
Carpenter 34
Joiner 31
Gardener 27
Clerk 23
Coal Miner 23
Cotton Piecer 22
Ag Lab 22
Publican 21
Painter 21
Servant 20

Shepherd Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Shepherd 100% 135,807
2 Sheppard 75% 68,947
3 Shephard 88% 29,283
4 Shepperd 88% 14,067
5 Shepard 75% 7,664
6 Shepheard 89% 3,812
7 Sheperd 88% 1,913
8 Sheppherd 89% 1,277
9 Shephered 89% 963
10 Shipherd 88% 679
11 Shiphard 75% 250
12 Shapherd 88% 207
13 Shaphard 75% 148
14 Shephred 75% 121
15 Shopherd 88% 119

Did you know?

The surname Shepherd is the most popular version of all its varients

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