Shyer
A surname of possible German origin, potentially derived from the occupation of shoemaker.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Shyer. That puts it at #139,228 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Shyer 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#139,228
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
120
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 120 bearers of the surname Shyer in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 139228th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Shyer, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.5%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Shyer
The surname SHYER is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages, with roots tracing back to the Old English word "scir," meaning "bright" or "shining." This name likely referred to an individual with a bright complexion or a sunny disposition.
In medieval times, surnames were often derived from physical characteristics, occupations, or places of origin. The name SHYER may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone with a radiant appearance or a cheerful demeanor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SHYER can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century, where a person named Willelmus le Shyere is mentioned. This spelling variation suggests that the name was initially pronounced with a more elongated vowel sound.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname SHYER appeared in various records across England, with spellings such as Shyre, Shire, and Sheere. Some notable individuals from this period bearing the name include John Shyre, a landowner in Hertfordshire mentioned in the Feet of Fines records from 1302, and William Schyrer, a merchant from Bristol recorded in the Patent Rolls of 1349.
The SHYER surname may also have derived from certain place names, such as Shire Lane in Middlesex or Shire Green in Surrey, although direct connections to these locations are not well documented.
In the 16th century, the name SHYER gained prominence with the birth of Thomas Shyre (1492-1572), a renowned English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and was appointed Recorder of Oxford. His son, Sir Richard Shyre (1536-1628), continued the family's legacy as a prominent judge and legal scholar.
Another notable figure bearing the SHYER surname was Sir Robert Shyre (1587-1654), a military commander who fought in the English Civil War and was knighted by King Charles I for his services.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the SHYER name spread across various parts of England, with members of the family establishing themselves in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Gloucestershire.
Throughout its history, the SHYER surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, merchants, lawyers, military personnel, and scholars, contributing to the rich tapestry of English heritage and culture.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Shyer
Among Census respondents with the surname Shyer, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.5%.
The bar chart below shows how Shyer 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 Shyer surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.5%
- Unknown or suppressed2.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Shyer 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 | #134,037 | #139,228 | -3.9% |
| Count | 116 | 120 | 3.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Shyer bearers went from 116 to 120 (+3.4% change). The surname moved down 5,191 positions in the national ranking, going from #134,037 to #139,228.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Shyer
FAQ
Shyer surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Shyer?
The surname Shyer holds position #139,228 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Shyer surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Shyer, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.5%. 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.