Surname Sheffield - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling Genetic Tapestry: A Deep Dive into Sheffield Surname through iGENEA DNA Test
The scientific findings from my iGENEA DNA test have revealed a deep and intricate history behind the Sheffield surname. From tracing the origins to Western Europe, connections to North Africa, and ties with Scandinavia, multiple layers of ancestry have been uncovered. Furthermore, these findings hold a testament to the interconnectedness of human societies and historical events.
U. Sheffield
read moreSheffield: What does the surname Sheffield mean?
The last name Sheffield is of English origin and derives from the name of the city in South Yorkshire. The name Sheffield is a combination of the Old English words "Scaef", meaning boundary, and "Feld", meaning open land or field. Together, these words suggest that the city was established at the edge of a field. Over time, people living in or near this city may have adopted Sheffield as a surname to signify their place of dwelling. It is also likely that the surname was given to people who had moved from Sheffield to other locations, as a means of establishing their origin. The English language habit of creating surnames from geographical locations is quite common, and Sheffield is a prime example. Like many surnames, it began as a means of identifying a person based on their home location. By carrying the Sheffield surname, families thus acknowledge their roots in this historical English city. The Sheffield surname is now found in many English-speaking countries worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisSheffield: Where does the name Sheffield come from?
The Sheffield surname is a common Anglo-Saxon name that originated in England and is found in many English-speaking countries today. Approximately 16,000 people in England still bear this name, with several thousand living in Yorkshire, which was the ancestral home of the Sheffield family in the 12th century. In the United States, the surname is quite popular, with more than 7,000 people bearing it. It’s especially popular in the South, especially in Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama, where thousands of people have the Sheffield name.
In Australia, the Sheffield name is quite common in some regions, such as New South Wales, where it was brought from England’s convicts and their families. Here, the name is among the top 200 most popular surnames and is particularly common in rural areas.
The Sheffield name can also be found in other English-speaking countries including Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand. In each of these countries, the Sheffield name is relatively popular and can be found in many places.
Overall, the Sheffield name is still very much alive and common across the English-speaking world today. From its small beginnings in 12th century Yorkshire, it has spread and multiplied to be found today in many places both near and far from its ancestral home.
Variations of the surname Sheffield
Sheffield is an Anglo-Saxon name of english origin which is derived from the Old English place-name “Sceafield”; ‘Sceaf’ being an ancient word for a kind of metal and ‘field’ meaning ‘field’ or ‘open land’. Various variants, spellings and surnames of this origin have been recorded over time, many of which are still in use today.
Variations of the surname Sheffield may include Sheaff, Sheeves, Scheeff, Sheave, Sheaves, Shevife, Sheiffs, Shevefield and Shevfield. Spellings may include Sheafield, Sheeffield, Sheefeld, Sheaffield, Scheffield, Sheevefield and Sheeffield.
Surnames that may be from the same origin as Sheffield include Shevelle, Scheve, Shevely, Shevee, Shevell, Shevalli, Sheevill, Shevel, Sheaff and Sheef. In some cases the spelling of the surname may have changed over time, for example the surname ‘Shevly’ may be spelled as ‘Shevli’ or ‘Sheffly’.
It has been suggested that some of the variant spellings and surnames of the same origin as Sheffield are derived from other family names in England, such as Shearlock, Shettleworth, Cheveleigh and Shevill, however this theory is disputed.
Today the surname Sheffield remains common in the UK as well as in Europe, with hundreds of people bearing the name in cities across the continent.
Famous people with the name Sheffield
- Howard Sheffield: English music producer, engineer and musician.
- Jonathan Sheffield: Chief Executive of The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
- Kareem Sheffield: Professional basketball player for the Texas Legends in the NBA G League.
- Logan Sheffield: American Minor League Baseball Pitcher.
- Sophie Sheffield: British American Film and television actress.
- Sam Sheffield: British vocalist and songwriter.
- Kasey Sheffield: Former professional British tennis player.
- Rob Sheffield: American author, music critic and contributing editor for Rolling Stone.
- James Sheffield: English businessman and co-founder of the Fairfax Group, a financial and insurance services company group.
- Chris Sheffield: American musician and multi-instrumentalist.