Origin & Meaning of the Shepherd Surname
What does the last name Shepherd mean?
The surname Shepherd 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 60,479 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Shepherd ranks as the #557 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Shepherd come from?
The Shepherd 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 Shepherd name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Shepherd 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 | Shepherd |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #557 |
| US Count (2010) | 60,479 |
| Per 100K People | 20.5 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Shepherd
According to the US Census, the Shepherd surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 60,479 Americans with the Shepherd last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 78.64% |
| Black | 15.94% |
| Hispanic | 2.04% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.54% |
| Native American | 0.89% |
| Two or More Races | 1.95% |
Popularity of Shepherd Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Shepherd surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Shepherd surname increased by 2,544 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Shepherd Ancestry
Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Shepherd ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Similar Surnames to Shepherd
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Shepherd.
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 Shepherd.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shepherd
Related Searches
People searching for information about the Shepherd surname also look for: