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.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Shephard Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Shephard family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 142
Female Servant 89
Independent 68
Labourer 54
Male Servant 43
Farmer 33
Ag Labourer 18
Cotton Weaver 17
Shoe Maker 15
Carpenter 15
Dress Maker 14
Miner 13
Blacksmith 11
Pauper 10
Coal Miner 10
Gardener 10
Butcher 9
Apprentice 9
Woollen Weaver 9
Weaver 8
Independant 8
Tailor 8
Mason 7
House Keeper 7
Baker 7

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.

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