Surname Shepperd - Meaning and Origin

Shepperd: What does the surname Shepperd mean?

The last name Shepperd is derived from the Old English word "sceap," meaning sheep, and "hierde," meaning herdsman or guardian. It is an occupational name given to individuals who were employed in the role of a shepherd, caring for a flock of sheep. The pastoral occupation was prevalent in Medieval England, representing one of the earliest recognized professions. The spelling variations of the name, including Shepherd, Shepard, Shephard and Shepperd, among others, are a result of the limitations of literacy rates and phonetic interpretations when surnames became necessary for taxation purposes. Over the years, the name spread to other English-speaking countries, such as Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and America. Not only does the name symbolize a person who guides or directs a group, but it also reflects the responsibilities and aspects of early rural life.

Shepperd: Where does the name Shepperd come from?

The surname Shepperd is an English patronymic surname derived from the personal name Shepherd. It was a popular occupation name for someone who was an actual shepherd, meaning they cared for sheep and other livestock, or it was a nickname used to describe the characteristics of the person.

The name Shepperd is most common in the United Kingdom, where it ranks as the 822nd most popular surname. In the United States, it ranks in the top 1000, but its numbers remain much smaller. It is estimated that there are only around 4,000 people in the United States with the Shepperd surname.

Shepperd is also a common name in Australia and Canada, where the numbers are larger than in the United States but still low compared to other surnames. It is estimated that in Canada, there are around 8,700 individuals with the Shepperd name, making it the 639th most popular Canadian surname. In Australia, the surname Shepperd is found in all of the Australian states and territories, and it ranks as the 667th most common Australian surname.

In the digital age, Shepperds can be found around the world on social media sites, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, Australia, and Canada. There are many family trees found online where people with the Shepperd surname can be tracked down. There is also a Shepperd surname project run by the Guild of One Name Studies, where Shepperds from all over the world are researching their ancestors and connecting with one another.

Variations of the surname Shepperd

The surname Shepperd is an Anglicized spelling of the Old English name Shepherd. It has several variants of spelling, including Shepherd, Shepheard, Shephearde, Sheppard, Shepperdson, Shoppard, Shoppardson, Shepbryd and Shepbryde.

In addition, there are several other names which originate from the same Old English name Shepherd: Sheppard, Shepperd, Shepheard, Shephard, Sheperd, Sheppard, Shepstone, Sheptead and Shepturst.

These names have different spellings due to various factors such as regional variations, Anglicisation or the use of a patronymic. Shepperd is derived from the Old English personal name Sheppard, itself derived from the Old English word "sceapweard" meaning, literally, "sheep guardian". The Old English past participle "weard" was generally applied as an affix to personal names.

Most of the variants of the surname Shepperd can be traced to northern England, particularly Yorkshire and Lancashire. In Ireland, the most common form of the surname is Sheppard, while in Scotland, it is usually Shephard or Shepheard.

Due its long history, it is quite likely that other variants may exist. For example, the variant spelling Sheepherd is found in the United States and Canada, while Shepherde is recorded in Australia. The Scottish versions Cupples and Kepples, also derived from the same origin, are found amongst Highland Clans.

Famous people with the name Shepperd

• Whitey Shepperd: Actor
• John Shepperd: Actor
• Nick Shepperd: Musician
• Scott Shepperd: Actor
• Jody Shepperd: Musician
• Barrie Shepperd: Actor
• William Shepperd: Actor
• Pat Shepperd: Actor
• Rhonda Shepperd: Musician
• John Shepperd Jr.: Writer
• Leslie Shepperd: Musician
• Sharon Shepperd: Musician
• Janice Shepperd: Singer
• Cole Shepperd: Actor
• Eric Shepperd: Musician
• Brooke Shepperd: Actor
• Chris Shepperd: Actor
• Diana Shepperd: Actor
• Joe Shepperd: Actor
• Miles Shepperd: Actor
• Steve Shepperd: Musician
• Edie Shepperd: Singer
• Kristin Shepperd: Singer
• Danica Shepperd: Singer
• Jordan Shepperd: Musician

Other surnames

ShepperdsonSheppersonSheppeson