Shepherd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The Shepherd name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Shepherd was originally a name given to someone who worked as a person who worked as a shepherd, the guardian of the sheep. 1 2

Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames. In this case the surname was originally derived from the Old English word sceap, meaning sheep and hierde meaning herdsman. While this traditional understand of the surname's meaning is in many ways self explanatory today, in examining the Coat of Arms invariably we find battle axes. This is not surprising as the ancient shepherds were employed to dig sod around the embattlements of a Saxon village as a means of defense, hence the term "the shepherd's ring." Their tools were battle axes.

Early Origins of the Shepherd family

The surname Shepherd was first found in the Southern counties of England, where they could be found from early times. Early recorded instances of the name include William Sepherd listed in Rotuli Hundredorum, in Oxfordshire in 1279. 3 The same rolls listed Margaret le Sephirde in Huntingdonshire and Walter le Schepherde in Cambridgeshire. 4

Henry Sephurde was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex of 1296 while Walter le Shepperde was listed in the Feet of Fines of Staffordshire in 1307. 3

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed William Shephirde; and Johannes Schephirde. 4

Early History of the Shepherd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shepherd research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1317, 1327, 1399, 1413, 1515, 1559, 1605, 1634, 1635, 1648, 1649, 1698, 1720 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Shepherd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shepherd Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Shepherd are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Shepherd include: Shepherd, Shephard, Sheppard, Sheppeard, Shepperd and others.

Early Notables of the Shepherd family

Distinguished members of the family include

Shepherd, alias Thwattes, of Derbyshire, who were a noble family during the reign of Henry IV (ruled 1399-1413)

Shepherd World Ranking

In the United States, the name Shepherd is the 569^th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Shepherd is ranked the 886^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,024 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Shepherd is the 250^th popular surname with an estimated 13,927 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Shepherd as 211^st with 2,681 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Shepherd as 187^th with 29,871 people. 9

Migration of the Shepherd family to Ireland

Some of the Shepherd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shepherd migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Shepherd or a variant listed above:

Shepherd Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Sheperd, (Sheaperd), who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "George" 10
Samuel Shepherd, aged 22, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" 10
John Shepherd, aged 36, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" 10
Mrs. Margaret Shepherd, aged 31, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" 10
Mr. Thomas Sheppard, aged 3 months, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shepherd Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Shepherd, who landed in Virginia in 1703 10
Elizabeth Shepherd, a bonded passenger, who arrived in Maryland in 1726
Thomas Shepherd, who landed in America in 1726 10
Dorothy Shepherd, a bonded passenger, who settled in Virginia in 1753

Shepherd Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Shepherd, who arrived in America in 1811 10
Philip Shepherd, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 10
Maurice Shepherd, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 10
Andrew Shepherd, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 10
Elizabeth Shepherd, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shepherd migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Shepherd Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Robert Shepherd, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1748
Andw Shepherd, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. William Shepherd U.E. born in Pennsylvania, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 11

Shepherd migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Shepherd Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Catherine Shepherd, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Shepherd Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Shepherd, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. James Shepherd, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Mr. Samuel Shepherd, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Mr. William Shepherd, (Sheppard), English convict who was convicted in Salisbury (New Sarum), Wiltshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he was executed in 1827 15
Mr. Henry Shepherd, (b. 1794), aged 26, English butcher who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1855 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shepherd migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Shepherd Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Shepherd, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
James Shepherd, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Alexander Shepherd, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Robert Shepherd, who landed in Whangaroa, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
James Shepherd, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shepherd migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Shepherd Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mathew, John, and Hannah Shepherd, who all, who arrived in Barbados in 1660
Francis Shepherd, who arrived in Barbados in 1673

Shepherd Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Mr. Shepherd, who arrived in Antigua (Antego) in 1773 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Shepherd (post 1700) +

James H. Shepherd (1951-2019), American medical researcher and rehabilitation executive, co-founder and chairman of Shepherd Center
Captain William M. Shepherd (b. 1949), Former NASA astronaut with over 159 days in space
Kenny Wayne Shepherd (b. 1977), American guitarist, singer, and songwriter
Jean Parker Shepherd (1921-1999), American raconteur, radio and TV personality, writer and actor
Cybill Shepherd (b. 1950), American actress and former model 18
David W. Shepherd, American politician, Representative from Idaho 1st District, 1986 ; Candidate in Democratic primary for Governor of Idaho, 1994 19
David H. Shepherd (d. 1981), American politician, Mayor of Oak Park, Michigan, 1971-81 19
Daniel Shepherd, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Washington County, 1805-06; Member of New York State Senate Eastern District, 1821-22 19
C. Henry Shepherd, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Cumberland County, 1869; Member of New Jersey State Senate from Cumberland County, 1872-74 19
Ben O. Shepherd, American Republican politician, Treasurer of Michigan Republican Party, 1947 19
... (Another 52 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Shepherd family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. David John Shepherd (1902-1941), Australian Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist from Sans Souci, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 20
Mr. Alfred Horwood Shepherd (1917-1941), Australian Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class from West Midland, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 20

HMS Hood

Mr. Percy R Shepherd (b. 1916), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Gosport, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
Mr. Lambert C Shepherd (b. 1911), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Hale, Cheshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
Mr. George V Shepherd (b. 1905), English Chief Engine Room Artificer serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
Mr. Cyril H Shepherd (b. 1923), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Copnor, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Smith Shepherd, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 22

HMS Royal Oak

George Shepherd (1915-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy Reserve aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 23

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Isaac Shepherd (b. 1838), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 24
Mr. George Shepherd (b. 1843), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 24

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Ralph Alfred Shepherd, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 25

RMS Titanic

Mr. Johnathan Shepherd (d. 1912), aged 32, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 26

SS Caribou

Mr. Lawrence Michael Shepherd (b. 1919), American passenger who was US Navy from Auburn, New York was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking

The Shepherd Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fide et virtute
Motto Translation: By fidelity and valour.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Cybill Shepherd. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Cybill Shepherd. Retrieved from http://www.cybill.com/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html