Short History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


Short is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a person who because of their physical characteristics was named short. In this case the surname Short can be traced back to the Old English word sceort which means short. The original bearer would have been known as the short one, because of his low stature. As height is one of the most easily distinguished features of a person, names derived from this aspect of a person's physique are by no means rare.

Early Origins of the Short family

The surname Short was first found in Dorset where one of the first records of the name was Ordic Scort who was listed there in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. Other early records include Richard le Sorte who was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1269 in Somerset and William Short who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex of 1327. 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list William Short in Suffolk. 2

Early History of the Short family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Short research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1603, 1635, 1668, 1675, 1685, 1690, 1772 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Short History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Short Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Short were recorded, including Short, Shorte, Shortt, Schorte and others.

Early Notables of the Short family

Distinguished members of the family include

Short World Ranking

In the United States, the name Short is the 550th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Short is ranked the 159th most popular surname with an estimated 247 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Short is the 513rd popular surname with an estimated 7,444 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Short as 466th with 1,472 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Short as 366th with 17,071 people. 8

Migration of the Short family to Ireland

Some of the Short family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Short migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Short family emigrate to North America:

Short Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Short Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Short Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Short migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Short migration to Australia +

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

Short Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Short 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:

Short Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Short 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
Short Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Short (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Short +
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