Shields History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


This name was anglicized from Ó Siadhail in Gaelic, meaning an 'ancestor of Siadhail' (the prefix Ó denotes 'grandfather of'). Siadhail has been translated to mean 'sloth' or 'sluggishness'. As this name is descriptive of its original bearer, it is considered to be a nickname. However, many Irish of this name originally came from England or Scotland where the name Shields is derived from an Old English word meaning 'shed' or 'hut' - a somewhat more flattering meaning.

Early Origins of the Shields family

The surname Shields was first found in the Ulster region counties of Donegal, Derry, Antrim and Down. This family are reputed to be descendents of the great King Niall of the Nine Hostages.

Early History of the Shields family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shields research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1548, 1677, 1693, 1698, 1745, 1800, 1879, 1886 and 1949 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, Sheilles, Sheild, Sheill, Sheels, Sheils, Sheil, Shield, Shields, Shieles, Shiels, Shiells, Shielles, Shiell, Sheills, Sheilds and many more.

Early Notables of the Shields family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

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. 1 However, in Australia, the name Shields is ranked the 608th most popular surname with an estimated 6,438 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Shields is the 698th popular surname with an estimated 1,021 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Shields as 606th with 10,806 people. 4


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
Shields Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Shields migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Shields Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Shields Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

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

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Shields (post 1700) +


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: Omne solum forti patria
Motto Translation: Every land is a native country to a brave man


Suggested Readings for the name Shields +
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