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
Cotton Weaver 696
Living On Own Means 624
General Labourer 525
Dress Maker 362
Coal Miner Hewer 322
General Servant Domestic 306
Scholar 267
Farmer 259
Woollen Weaver 247
Cotton Spinner 207
Domestic Servant 195
Cook Domestic 146
Cotton Card Room Hand 143
Charwoman 140
Cotton Winder 140
Tailoress 126
Coal Hewer 126
Housemaid Domestic 120
Servant Domestic 107
House Keeper Domestic 106
Dressmaker 102
Blacksmith 101
Butcher 99
Coal Miner C Hewer 99
School 98

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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