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

Shy, 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 Shy surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shy in America

Shy is the 15090th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shy surname appeared 1,955 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Shy.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shy 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 Shy

The surname SHY has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'sceoh' or 'scy', which means timid or bashful. This suggests that the name was initially given as a nickname to someone who was perceived as shy or reserved in their demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname SHY can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. This document lists a person named Adam le Shy, indicating that the surname was already in use during that time period.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, including Shye, Shie, and Shey, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common in those days. There are records of a William Shye who lived in Somerset in 1327 and a John Shie who resided in Oxfordshire in 1379.

The SHY surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Shyrock in Derbyshire and Shyfeld in Sussex. These place names likely originated from the Old English words 'sceoh' or 'scy', suggesting that the surname may have been derived from the names of these locations.

One notable figure associated with the SHY surname was Sir Walter Shy (1525-1586), a member of the English gentry and a prominent landowner in Gloucestershire. He served as a Member of Parliament and was known for his involvement in local affairs.

Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Shy (1679-1737), an English clergyman and author. He was the rector of Lapworth in Warwickshire and wrote several theological works during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the surname gained recognition through the work of John Shy (1738-1809), a renowned landscape painter and engraver. He was a member of the Royal Academy and is particularly celebrated for his etchings of rural English scenes.

Sarah Shy (1810-1876) was a notable figure in the field of education. She founded several schools for underprivileged children in London and dedicated her life to promoting literacy and learning opportunities for the less fortunate.

William Shy (1865-1924) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from Yorkshire. He made his fortune in the textile industry and used his wealth to support various charitable causes, including the establishment of a hospital and several schools in his hometown.

Throughout its history, the surname SHY has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from landowners and clergymen to artists and entrepreneurs. Despite its humble origins as a nickname, it has established itself as a respected surname with a rich heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shy

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

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

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

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