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

Shinner, 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 Shinner surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Shinner in America

Shinner is the 122534th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shinner surname appeared 130 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Shinner.

The history of the last name Shinner

The surname Shinner originates from England, with its history traceable back to the Medieval period. The name is believed to have roots in the southwestern counties of England, particularly Somerset and Devon. Its derivation likely stems from an old vernacular term or occupation, though the exact word is not precisely documented in surviving records. One possible derivation is from the Old English word scinnan, meaning to shine or shine brightly, which could indicate an early association with someone who worked with metals or another shiny material.

The name Shinner does not appear in the Domesday Book of 1086, suggesting its emergence as a surname occurred slightly later, in the subsequent centuries. However, records from medieval tax documents and parish registers indicate the presence of the name in the 13th and 14th centuries. Variations in spelling, such as Schinner or Shynner, can be found in these earlier documents.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Shinner is of William Shinner, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of 1248 in Somerset. Another early instance is a reference to John Shynner in the Subsidy Rolls of Devon in 1332. These records show that the name was becoming established and distinct within particular localities.

Sir Thomas Shinner, born in 1452 and dying in 1519, was a notable figure who served as a knight during the reign of King Henry VII. His contributions to the military campaigns and his position in the royal court brought attention to the Shinner name during the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

Richard Shinner, born in 1625 and dying in 1689, was an influential landowner and magistrate in Somerset. His involvement in local governance and the administration of justice highlighted the prominence of the Shinner family in regional society.

Anne Shinner, born in 1730, was an early educator in Devon, known for establishing a school that provided education to the children of her community. Her efforts in advancing education during the 18th century exemplified the civic contributions of individuals with the Shinner surname.

By the 19th century, Robert Shinner, born in 1814 and dying in 1887, became a well-regarded industrialist during the Victorian era. His innovations in textile manufacturing and contributions to industry in Lancashire were significant during the period of industrialization in England.

Lastly, Elizabeth Shinner, born in 1840 and dying in 1912, was a noted suffragette and activist for women’s rights, campaigning vigorously for women’s suffrage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her efforts in advocating for equal rights underscored the evolving roles of individuals bearing the Shinner name in social movements.

Throughout history, the surname Shinner has appeared in various forms and been associated with multiple regions and occupations, illustrating its rich and diverse heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shinner

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Shinner 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.

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 Shinner was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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