Find out how popular the last name Sheaf is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Sheaf.

Sheaf, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Sheaf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sheaf in America

Sheaf is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sheaf surname appeared 117 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Sheaf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sheaf to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Sheaf

The surname "SHEAF" is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "sceaf," meaning a bundle or collection of cut grain or straw. It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who was involved in harvesting and bundling sheaves of grain or straw.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Sceaf." This suggests that the name was already in use before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Domesday Book was a comprehensive record of landholdings and properties in England, commissioned by William the Conqueror.

In the 13th century, the surname appears in various records with spellings such as "Shef," "Sheffe," and "Sheyf." These variations reflect the evolution of the English language and the lack of standardized spelling during that time period.

One notable individual bearing the surname was John Sheaf, a clergyman who lived in the late 15th century. He was appointed as the Bishop of Carlisle in 1494 and served in that position until his death in 1502.

Another person of historical significance was Richard Sheafe (1609-1671), an early settler in colonial New England. He was one of the founders of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and served as a prominent merchant and community leader in the region.

In the 18th century, the surname was also associated with a notable military figure, Sir Roger Sheaffe (1763-1851). He was a British Army officer who served in various campaigns, including the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. He played a significant role in the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, where he commanded British and Canadian forces against the American invasion of Upper Canada.

Another individual of note was William Sheaff (1778-1851), an English engraver and painter. He is known for his work in illustrating books and creating portraits of prominent figures in the early 19th century.

The surname "SHEAF" has also been found in various place names throughout England, such as Sheaf House in Derbyshire and Sheaf Street in Sheffield, which further reinforces its connection to the agricultural roots of the name.

While the surname is relatively uncommon today, it continues to carry a rich history and associations with various occupations, locations, and notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sheaf

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Sheaf.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Sheaf was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Sheaf has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Sheaf was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sheaf, please contact us.

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