Origin & Meaning of the Shepard Surname
What does the last name Shepard mean?
The surname Shepard carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 39,430 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Shepard ranks as the #882 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Shepard come from?
The Shepard surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Shepard name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Shepard trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Shepard |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #882 |
| US Count (2010) | 39,430 |
| Per 100K People | 13.37 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Shepard
According to the US Census, the Shepard surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 39,430 Americans with the Shepard last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 76.74% |
| Black | 17.05% |
| Hispanic | 2.63% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.55% |
| Native American | 0.87% |
| Two or More Races | 2.16% |
Popularity of Shepard Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Shepard surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Shepard surname increased by 725 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Shepard
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Shepard.
Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Shepard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shepard
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