Sheppard
An occupational surname referring to someone who herded or tended sheep.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 42,947 Americans carry the last name Sheppard. That puts it at #938 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 12.53 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 7,981 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sheppard surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
43K
1 in 7,981
Census rank
#938
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
12.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
37K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 36,960 bearers of the surname Sheppard in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 12.53 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 938th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Sheppard, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.4%. The next largest groups are Black (26.8%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Sheppard
The surname Sheppard originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English word "sceaphyrde," meaning "shepherd" or one who tended and herded sheep. This name was given to individuals who worked as shepherds or owned large flocks of sheep.
The earliest known record of the surname Sheppard dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared as "Scepard" and "Scepeord." These early spellings highlight the evolution of the name from its Old English roots. The name was also found in various medieval records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1192, where it was spelled "Schepehird."
In the 13th century, the surname Sheppard was also associated with certain place names. For example, the village of Sheppard's Green in Essex was recorded as "Schepherdesgrene" in 1258, indicating a connection between the surname and a specific location.
Historically, there have been several notable individuals bearing the surname Sheppard. One of the earliest was Thomas Sheppard (c. 1369-1432), an English clergyman who served as Bishop of Bangor and later as Bishop of St Asaph. Another prominent figure was William Sheppard (1594-1675), an English composer and musician who served as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal during the reign of King Charles I.
During the 17th century, John Sheppard (1616-1665) was a renowned English architect who designed several churches in London, including St. Bride's Church on Fleet Street. In the realm of literature, Thomas Sheppard (1605-1658) was an English writer and poet who published works such as "The Faerie King" and "The Hermetick Romance."
In the 18th century, John Sheppard (1702-1724), also known as "Jack Sheppard," gained notoriety as a famous English burglar and escape artist. His daring prison breaks and exploits were widely publicized, and he became a folk hero of sorts.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the surname Sheppard throughout history, reflecting the name's deep roots in English society and its association with various professions and backgrounds.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Sheppard
Among Census respondents with the surname Sheppard, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.4%. The next largest groups are Black (26.8%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Sheppard bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Sheppard surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White67.4%
- Black or African American26.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races2.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Sheppard surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #889 | #938 | -5.5% |
| Count | 35,554 | 36,960 | 4.0% |
| Per 100K | 13.18 | 12.53 | -4.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Sheppard bearers went from 35,554 to 36,960 (+4.0% change). The surname moved down 49 positions in the national ranking, going from #889 to #938.
FAQ
Sheppard surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Sheppard?
The surname Sheppard holds position #938 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 42,947 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 12.53 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Sheppard surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Sheppard, the largest self-reported group is White at 67.4%. The next largest groups are Black (26.8%) and Hispanic (2.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.