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Show ContentsShields History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Early Origins of the Shields family

The surname Shields was first found in Berwickshire where the name was local in origin. The Middle English version of the name was "schele" or "skali" which was "used first of a shepherd's summer-hut or small house." This distinguished Clan took their name from the reivers small houses or huts which abounded on the eastern English/Scottish border. 1

Robbie Burns included the line "the swallow jinkin around my shiel." North Shields and South Shields located on the north bank of the River Tyne and the mouth of the same river date back to 1225-1245, 2 but there is no record of any relationship to the surname.

"Thomas of le Scheie was juror on an inquisition made at Traqueyr, 1274. William Schelle of the county of Edeneburk rendered homage [to King Edward I of England in] 1296. Symon de Scheie was dean of guild in Edinburgh, 1403, and William de Schellis, presbyter and notary public in the diocese of Glasgow, 1448. Gilbert Schell witnessed sasine of lands of Walle, 1469, and John Scheill was citizen of Glasgow, 1527. Andro Cheill or Cheild was tenant of land of West Scheill, 1515, and Andro Scheill, tenant in barony of Glasgow in same year. Alexander Sheilds or Shields (1660-1700), the Covenanter, wrote his name 'Shells.' " 3

Just over the border in northern England, we found Robert Scild in the Pipe Rolls for Yorkshire in 1206 and later, William Sheld in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1267. Here the name is thought to have probably denotes "a maker of shields. " 4

Early rolls also included Roger ate Schelds in the Subsidy Rolls for Surrey in 1332, Geoffrey le Seldmakere in Essex in 1285 and Adam Scheldman in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 4

Early History of the Shields family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shields research. Another 143 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1274, 1296, 1403, 1515, 1660, 1700, 1702, 1707, 1753, 1783 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Shields History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shields Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Shiel, Shiell, Shiels, Shiells, Sheil, Sheill, Sheils, Sheills, Shield, Shields, O'Shiel, O'Shields and many more.

Early Notables of the Shields family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • William Schelle of Edinburgh; and Alexander Shields or Sheilds (1660-1700), a Scottish nonconformist minister, activist, and author from Earlston, Berwickshire
  • Robert Shiels, Shiells or Shields (d. 1753), was a Scottish compiler, of humble origin, born in Roxburghshire about the end of the seventeenth century, and ventured to London as a journeyman printer...

Shields World Ranking

In the United States, the name Shields is the 580th most popular surname with an estimated 49,740 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Shields is ranked the 608th most popular surname with an estimated 6,438 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Shields is the 698th popular surname with an estimated 1,021 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Shields as 606th with 10,806 people. 8

Ireland Migration of the Shields family to Ireland

Some of the Shields family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 118 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Shields migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Shields Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Eliz Shields, who landed in Carolina in 1724 9
Shields Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Shields, who landed in America in 1807 9
  • Alexander Shields, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1808 9
  • Peter Shields, who arrived in America in 1808 9
  • George Shields, who arrived in America in 1811 9
  • Frindley Shields, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Shields migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Shields Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. David Shields U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 10
  • Mr. John Shields U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 10
Shields Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Shields, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Nancy" in 1834
  • William Shields who migrated from Edinburgh was keeper of Cape Spear Lighthouse, Newfoundland and died in 1836 11
  • Mr. Edward Shields, aged 2 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Rose" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 12
  • Mr. William Shields, aged 1 year & 6 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Constitution" departing from the port of Belfast, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 28th May 1847 12
  • Mr. William Shields, aged 2 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Maria Somes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Shields migration to Australia +

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

Shields Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Patrick Shields, (b. 1793), aged 27, Irish labourer who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1829 13
  • Mr. William Shields, (b. 1794), aged 26, Irish shoe maker who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for coining, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • John Shields, a carpenter, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. John Shields, (McCaffrey), English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Patrick Shields, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Shields 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:

Shields Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Shields, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Agra" in 1852 16
  • Mr. William Shields, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Bruce" arriving in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand on 12th September 1860 16
  • Mr. William Shields, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Storm Cloud" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 30th July 1861 17
  • Mr. James Shields, (b. 1830), aged 32, British ploughman travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 16
  • Mrs. Marion Shields, (b. 1836), aged 26, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Shields (post 1700) +

  • Mark Stephen Shields (1937-2022), American political columnist, advisor, and commentator who worked in leadership positions for many Democratic candidates' electoral campaigns
  • Thomas Allen Shields (b. 1991), American competitive swimmer he is a two-time Olympian, he has won gold in both the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics
  • Brooke Christa Shields (b. 1965), American actress, author and model 18
  • Teri Shields (b. 1933), American actress, film producer, socialite and mother of actress Brooke Shields 19
  • Francis Xavier "Frank" Shields (1909-1975), famous amateur American tennis player
  • James Shields (1810-1879), American politician and U.S. Army officer
  • Christa Brooke Camille Shields (b. 1965), American actress and former fashion model better known as Brooke Shields
  • Francis Alexander Shields (1941-2003), American Republican, executive at Revlon, best known as the father of the actress Brooke Shields
  • Charles A. Shields, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
  • Benjamin Glover Shields (b. 1808), American politician, Member of Alabama State House of Representatives, 1834; U.S. Representative from Alabama at-large, 1841-43; U.S. Charge d'Affaires to Venezuela, 1845 20
  • ... (Another 72 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Grover Shoe factory
  • Mrs. Julia Shields, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; she survived 21
Ibrox disaster
  • Walter Shields (b. 1971), Scottish football supporter, from Glasgow who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 22
North Sea Flood
  • Patrick Shields, British worker aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
RMS Lusitania
  • Mrs. Retta Shields, American 1st Class Passenger from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
  • Mr. Victor E. Shields, American 1st Class Passenger from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 23

The Shields 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: Vincit qui patitur
Motto Translation: He conquers who endures.

Suggested Readings for the name Shields +

  • Brooke's Book: Ancestry of Brooke Shields by Daniel MacGregor.
  • Shields Family.
  • Irish Origins of the Shields Family by John Edgar Shields.
  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. 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)
  10. 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
  11. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  12. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 55)
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. Brooke Shields. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Brooke Shields. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooke_Shields
  19. Teri Shields. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Teri Shields. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teri_Shields
  20. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 25) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  21. California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
  22. Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
  23. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
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