Kershaw Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Kershaw Name Meaning: Taken from the Anglo-Saxon word 'kirk' meaning 'church' and 'sceaga/shaw' meaning 'wood/copse'.

A name given to someone who lived or worked in a 'church wood' (a wood owned by the church). The name may have also been taken from a place of the same name.

Discover how your Kershaw ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Kershaw Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Kershaw family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 655
At Home 93
Coal Miner 71
Power Loom Weaver 69
Labourer 67
Cotton Weaver 66
Cotton Piecer 60
Power Loom Weaver Cotton 59
House Keeper 51
Weaver 48
Stone Mason 46
House Servant 40
Dress Maker 34
Cotton Spinner 33
Cotton Power Loom Weaver 30
Wool Comber 29
Woollen Weaver 28
Hand Loom Weaver 26
Power Loom Cotton Weaver 26
Servant 25
Mechanic 25
Agricultural Labourer 24
Gardener 23
Carter 21
Woollen Spinner 20

Kershaw Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Kershaw 100% 63,087
2 Kirshaw 86% 894

Did you know?

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

Search for the Kershaw family