Surname Shield - Meaning and Origin

Shield: What does the surname Shield mean?

The last name Shield is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English term "scield" which literally translates to "shield". This surname was typically an occupational name given to a shield bearer or maker, someone who made or carried shields during warfare in medieval times. Alternatively, it could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a notable shield-shaped hill or piece of land. Like many surnames derived from occupations or geographical features, the name Shield began as a way to identify individuals based on their profession or location. Over time, it became passed down through generations as a family name. It is worth noting that it can also exist in various forms such as Shields, Shill or Shiel. The use, meaning, and spellings of the surname can vary widely depending on the cultural and geographical contexts. Today, individuals with the last name Shield can be found in countries around the world, suggesting a wide diaspora from the name's original source.

Shield: Where does the name Shield come from?

The last name Shield is one of many surnames widely used throughout Europe, particularly in the English-speaking world. It has been present throughout Britain and Ireland since at least the 16th century. Today, it is one of the more common surnames in the United Kingdom, having been adopted by a large percentage of the population. It is especially common in areas such as Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and even the Isle of Man.

Shields can also be found throughout North America, as the surname was adopted by many immigrants who settled in the American colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries. In particular, the presence of the Shields surname is particularly common in the United States and Canada. Notable figures with the last name include various private and public figures such as Mike Shields, the Chief of Staff for the Republican National Committee, and Sarah Shields, a Canadian politician.

Today, Shields is still a common last name, with several thousand Shield-named individuals living in the United Kingdom alone. It remains a popular surname in its original nations of origin, and its presence continues to be felt in North America.

Variations of the surname Shield

The surname Shield is most commonly of Old English, Old French and Norman origin, derived from a name such as Richard Le Sheld. The surname is thought to have been brought to England during the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The variant spellings and surnames of Shield include Sheld, Scheld, Sheldes, Sheeld, Shefields, Sheldrake, Shieldes, Shel drake, Shildrake and Shilds.

The many variant spellings of this surname found in historical records and modern usage reflect the many different ways in which spelling has been adapted over the centuries. In Old English, most of the spellings of Shield ended with -es whence Shieldes, however, the -es suffix became superfluous in some writing and pronunciation. In Middle English, the -es suffix was added to Sheld so that Shieldes became the standardized spelling that we know today.

The spelling of Scheld was used in Middle Latin, and the spelling of Sheldrak or Sheldrake appeared in some later records, including those of the 1500s. The Double S version of Shieldes appears in documents from the 1600s onward, while Shilds and Shildrake can also be found.

The French origin of the surname can also be discerned from the spelling Sheeld and Shefields, which likely derives from the word ‘echele,’ meaning ‘ladder.’

In summary, the surname Shield has many variants and spellings, all of which are likely derived in some way from the Norman Conquest. While most of the variant spellings are associated with Old English or Middle English forms, certain French spellings continue to be used among modern descendants of the original Shield family in Britain.

Famous people with the name Shield

• Chris Shields: Irish footballer currently playing for Dundalk in the League of Ireland
• Bill Shields: American professional football player, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs
• Brooke Shields: American actress and model, most famous for her role in the film The Blue Lagoon
• Dave Shields: British actor who starred in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Holby City
• Rebecca Shields: Australian model and actress
• Gene Shield: All-round American musician, songwriter and producer
• David Shields: American writer and professor of literature and creative writing
• Charles Shields: Rebel leader in the American Civil War
• Abbie Shields: British actress who starred in TV series DCI Banks and Wolfblood
• Colin Shield: Actor who has appeared in shows such as Doctor Who and Casualty

Other surnames

ShielShieldsShiellShiels