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
School 829
Cotton Weaver 215
Weaver 97
Private Means 64
Cotton Spinner 55
At Home 50
Dressmaker 47
Housekeeper 44
Labourer 40
General Labourer 39
House Keeper 39
Coal Miner Hewer 38
Cotton Winder 37
Weaver Cotton 33
None 32
Carter 31
Winder 28
Woollen Weaver 26
Clerk 25
Home 24
Assisting In The Business 23
Farm Labourer 23
Joiner 23
Shop Assistant 22
Iron Turner 21

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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