Shephard Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Shephard Name Meaning: An English/Scottish name thought to have originated from the words 'sceap' and 'hierde' meaning 'herd men' or 'guard'.

An occupational name for a herdsman, someone that was associated with the looking after/guarding of sheep.

Discover how your Shephard 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

Shephard Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Shephard family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 366
Agricultural Labourer 108
House Servant 54
Labourer 51
At Home 50
Dress Maker 36
Servant 27
Annuitant 21
House Keeper 21
Coal Miner 20
Farm Labourer 18
Errand Boy 18
Shoe Maker 17
Tailor 16
General Servant 15
Farm Servant 15
Scholar At Home 14
Cotton Weaver 14
Laundress 13
Pauper 12
Cook 11
Gardener 11
Woollen Weaver 11
Frame Work Knitter 10
Carpenter 9

Shephard Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Shepherd 88% 135,807
2 Shephard 100% 29,283
3 Shepheard 89% 3,812
4 Shefford 63% 2,216
5 Shephered 78% 963
6 Shipherd 75% 679
7 Shepphard 89% 367
8 Shiphard 88% 250
9 Shapherd 75% 207
10 Shaphard 88% 148
11 Shephred 75% 121
12 Shopherd 75% 119

Did you know?

The surname Shephard is the 2nd most popular variant of Shepherd.

Search for the Shephard family