Origin & Meaning of the Shephard Surname
What does the last name Shephard mean?
The surname Shephard 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 6,859 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Shephard ranks as the #5,105 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Shephard come from?
The Shephard 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 Shephard name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Shephard 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 | Shephard |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #5,105 |
| US Count (2010) | 6,859 |
| Per 100K People | 2.33 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Shephard
According to the US Census, the Shephard surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 6,859 Americans with the Shephard last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 62.24% |
| Black | 30.06% |
| Hispanic | 3.54% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.44% |
| Native American | 1.08% |
| Two or More Races | 2.64% |
Popularity of Shephard Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Shephard surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Shephard surname increased by 340 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Shephard
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Shephard.
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 Shephard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shephard
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