Surname Shiels - Meaning and Origin
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Shiels: What does the surname Shiels mean?
The surname Shiels is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic word "siol", which means "seed" or "descendant". This name was often used as a prefix to personal names to signify family relationships and ancestry. Therefore, Shiels can mean "descendant of" or "seed of" a particular lineage or clan. It is typically given to the offsprings or descendants of a distinguished ancestor or a well-regarded family lineage. Like many surnames from the Celtic lands, various spellings of the name exist, often due to interpretations and translations over time, including Shields, Sheils, and O’Sheils. The families bearing the surname Shiels in Ireland are found primarily in counties Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Monaghan. The surname also appears in Scotland, particularly in Argyll and Bute, where it is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Siadhail". In this context, Shiels can mean "one who is peaceful".
Order DNA origin analysisShiels: Where does the name Shiels come from?
The last name Shiels is most commonly found throughout Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, although there are some other regions where it is occasionally encountered. Generally speaking, the highest concentrations of the Shiels surname are in Scotland, particularly in the region around Lanarkshire.
In Ireland, the name is most often found in County Donegal, although there are pockets seen in counties such as Monaghan, Down, and Antrim. In Northern Ireland, Shiels is found chiefly in County Londonderry and more particularly in the area around Derry City and its surrounding villages.
There are some Shiels families in England, notably in Lancashire and in Yorkshire, and in Wales, where the name is found most often in the North West region. In America, the Shiels family is present from the earliest days of colonial history, with many of them settling initially in Pennsylvania, although some families did travel further south in search of new opportunities.
The Shiels name is also present throughout Australasia, particularly in New Zealand, where the highest concentration is thought to be located in the North Island. There are also a few Shiels families in Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Shiels
The surname Shiels has many variants and spellings. These mainly come from the Gaelic and/or Portuguese language roots.
The most common variations are Shields, Sheilds, Sheales, Shiells, Sheils, Sheales, Shuiles, Shielles and Sheal. Other variations include Shiells, Shales, Shielles, Scheels, Scheeles and Sheillis.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, many of them are derived from the same roots as Shiels. These include Shiell, Shailes, Shield, Shill, Shiels, Sheils, Sheal, Shillis, Sheillis, Scheels and Scheeles.
In terms of other surnames of the same origin, many of them are derived from Gaelic and Portuguese language roots. These include Sheehan, Shaughnessy, Shepherd, Seale, Sheen, Shea, Shields, Shils, Shelby, Shiers, Shew, Shive, Smith, Seiffert, Sievert, Slattery, Shyne and Cleary.
In terms of spellings, the surname Shiels can also be spelt as Shieves, Shieldes, Schildes, Scheldes, Shildes and Shilles. Additionally, there is a Sheilds variation which is more commonly used in Scottish and Irish communities.
All of these variations of the surname Shiels have a similar origin, which is derived from either Gaelic or Portuguese language roots.
Famous people with the name Shiels
- Paul Shiels: British Virgin Islands politician
- Anthony Simpkins-Shiels: Australian cinematographer, music video director and film editor
- Fred Shiels: Canadian musician and composer
- Marney Shiels: Irish professional golfer
- Jenny Shiels: American figure skater
- Robert Shiels: New Zealand racing driver
- Jeff Shiels: Scottish badminton player
- MK Shiels: South African swimmer
- Julian Shiels: United States Navy Rear Admiral
- Dee Shiels: Canadian ice hockey player