Surname Sheats - Meaning and Origin

Sheats: What does the surname Sheats mean?

The surname Sheats is of English origin and is derived from Old English "sceat," which means "corner" or "nook." The name may have been given to someone who lived near a prominent corner, angle or corner of land, particularly a corner of a mansion, large building, or estate. It could also potentially be used for someone who worked as a tax collector, as it can derive from the Middle English word "sceatt", meaning "payment" or "tax". As with many surnames, there can be various interpretations or origins, as surnames could be based on geographical locations, professions, personal characteristics, or even descriptions of an individual’s residence. The spelling of last names also often changed over time based on phonetic spelling since most people in the Middle Ages were illiterate. Like most surnames, the exact meaning and origin can be difficult to trace due to these factors.

Sheats: Where does the name Sheats come from?

Today the last name Sheats is most common in the United States, with a particularly high concentration in the Southern states. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2020 there were 8,862 individuals with the last name Sheats living in the United States. The areas with the highest concentrations of the name Sheats were in Alabama where there were 1,389 and Georgia where there were 1,289. Other states with high numbers of individuals with the last name Sheats were Texas (936), Florida (731), and Tennessee (496).

When tracing the last name Sheats along family lines, many families can trace their ancestry back to the American Civil War. At this time, many of the earliest reported instances of individuals with the surname Sheats were located in Georgia and Alabama. However, due to the movement of individuals after the war, the name began to spread to other states, eventually leading to the distribution of individuals with this name that is seen today.

It is estimated that the origin of the Sheats surname originated in the mid-1700s in England when it became common to take on the father's last name. As individuals with the Sheats surname emigrated to the United States, this surname spread to other areas of the country. The name has been in use since then, becoming increasingly common today.

Variations of the surname Sheats

The surname Sheats is an ancient name of English descent. It is derived from the Medieval word "schates" which roughly translates to "shingle roof", indicating that the original bearers of this name would have built and used thatched or shingled roofs to shelter their homes.

The variants of this surname include Sheat, Sheely, Shelly, Sheeley, Sheele, Shealey, Sheely, and Sheelley. All of these variations of the original spelling are derived from the original word "schates".

Additionally, surnames with similar etymologies can be said to have the same origin. As such, the surnames Shedd, Sched, Shadd, Shaddick, Shaddogn, Sheaken, and Shed may all be related to Sheats.

These are a few of the variations of Sheats that exist, but the original spelling remains the same and the surnames are all linked through a common origin. As such, Sheats is still a widely used surname, and families with this surname can trace their ancestral roots back to the 12th century England.

Famous people with the name Sheats

• Harley Sheats: American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
• John Sheats: American entrepreneur and investor.
• Jason Sheats: American podcast host and YouTuber.
• Gina Sheats: American actor, known for her performances in the hit TV series, The Walking Dead.
• Don Sheats: American war veteran and politician.
• Barbra Sheats: American singer-songwriter and actress.
• Wilbur Sheats: American film editor and director.
• Jeff Sheats: American singer-songwriter and producer.
• William Sheats: American football player.
• Clark Sheats: American artist, specializing in painting.
• Aaron Sheats: American guitarist and rock musician.
• Jesse Sheats: American musician, songwriter and producer.
• Joy Sheats: American motivational speaker and life coach.
• Christine Sheats: British journalist and author.
• Stacy Sheats: British-based fashion designer and model.
• James Sheats: American guitarist and blues musician.
• Tom Sheats: American music producer and engineer.
• Dr. Joe Sheats: American theologian and writer.
• Duncan Sheats: American actor, best known for his roles in the hit TV series, 24.
• Harold Sheats: American historian and author.

Other surnames

Sheatz