Shaw Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Shaw Name Meaning: Of English and Scottish origin, mainly used as a surname rather than a forename. The name was often given to someone who lived by a wood.

Shaw is derived from the Old English \"sceaga\", a small place name for example those in Lancashire, Berkshire and Wiltshire.

Discover how your Shaw 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

Shaw Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Shaw family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 9,548
Coal Miner 767
Cotton Weaver 696
Dress Maker 362
Domestic Servant 345
General Labourer 343
Agricultural Labourer 343
Labourer 311
Woollen Weaver 252
General Servant 232
House Keeper 220
Joiner 197
Annuitant 186
General Servant Domestic 172
Farm Labourer 162
Laundress 158
Grocer 136
Cotton Piecer 134
Worsted Weaver 130
Charwoman 128
Cotton Spinner 111
Butcher 107
Cotton Winder 107
No Occupation 105
Carter 103

Shaw Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Shaw 100% 355,842
2 Show 75% 3,271
3 Shawe 80% 1,692
4 Shew 75% 1,108
5 Ashew 60% 471
6 Showe 60% 198
7 Sahw 50% 161
8 Ushaw 80% 133

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

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