Shepherd Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Shepherd Name Meaning: Occupational name for a shepherd from Middle English words meaning 'sheep' & 'herdsman'

It is claimed that records from before the tenth century show a notable Shepherd family from Dorset with battle-axes on their Coat of Arms. This could refer to an ancient trade of shepherds who had nothing to do with sheep, but who dug defenses with their battle-axes around battlements for Saxon villages. The name became widespread across southern England by the 13th century & also has ancient history in Scotland.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Shepherd Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Shepherd family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 2,583
Agricultural Labourer 385
Labourer 286
Domestic Servant 169
Cotton Weaver 149
Dress Maker 148
General Servant 123
Laundress 96
Coal Miner 94
House Keeper 82
Annuitant 78
Servant 77
Gardener 57
Farm Labourer 55
Farm Servant 55
Blacksmith 52
Shoe Maker 49
No Occupation 46
General Servant Domestic 46
Nurse 45
Carpenter 43
Tailor 41
Cotton Operative 41
Joiner 40
Wife Of Above 40

Shepherd Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Shepherd 100% 135,807
2 Sheppard 75% 68,947
3 Shephard 88% 29,283
4 Shepperd 88% 14,067
5 Shepard 75% 7,664
6 Shepheard 89% 3,812
7 Sheperd 88% 1,913
8 Sheppherd 89% 1,277
9 Shephered 89% 963
10 Shipherd 88% 679
11 Shiphard 75% 250
12 Shapherd 88% 207
13 Shaphard 75% 148
14 Shephred 75% 121
15 Shopherd 88% 119

Did you know?

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

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