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 1,148
Cotton Weaver 331
House Keeper 106
Woollen Weaver 96
Coal Miner 74
Labourer 68
Worsted Weaver 59
Cotton Operative 57
Worsted Spinner 50
Weaver 49
Cotton Spinner 48
Stone Mason 45
Cotton Piecer 44
Cotton Winder 33
Dress Maker 30
Carter 29
Domestic Servant 28
Agricultural Labourer 27
Silk Weaver 25
General Servant 23
Gardener 23
House Work 23
Annuitant 22
Fustian Cutter 22
Weaver Cotton 22

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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