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 940
Cotton Weaver 285
Coal Miner 97
Cotton Piecer 68
Cotton Spinner 66
Woollen Weaver 65
House Keeper 58
Cotton Factory Worker 54
Cotton Winder 45
Dress Maker 41
Worsted Spinner 41
Labourer 40
House Servant 39
Stone Mason 39
Cotton Reeler 35
Cotton Power Loom Weaver 34
Carter 28
Worsted Weaver 21
Blacksmith 20
Servant 20
Agricultural Labourer 19
Farmer 19
House Work 19
Woollen Piecer 19
Weaver Cotton 18

Kershaw Surname Variants Ranking

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

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

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