Surname Shearar - Meaning and Origin
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Shearar: What does the surname Shearar mean?
The surname Shearar is of occupational origin, tracing back to the early medieval English period. The name is derived from the Old English "scear," meaning shears or scissors, combined with the suffix "ere," which indicates an occupation. Therefore, the name Shearar originally referred to an individual serving the role of a shearer - most likely a sheep shearer in the context of agricultural societies. In such societies, this role was of key importance due to the need for sheep's wool in textile production. Over time, this surname has undergone various spelling alterations such as Shearer, Sherar, and Sherer among several others. Like many surnames that originated from occupational names, it is likely that the initial bearers of the surname Shearar were individuals who worked as shearers.
Order DNA origin analysisShearar: Where does the name Shearar come from?
Today, the last name Shearar is found predominantly in the United States, typically in midwestern states. It’s most common in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Oklahoma, though it can be seen in other nearby midwestern states, such as Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska. For those living in larger cities like Chicago and Milwaukee, there are a few Shearars living nearby.
Outside of the United States, it's more difficult to trace the name Shearar. Records indicate that the name is comparatively rare in the United Kingdom, though a few Shearar families can also be found in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Canada, too, is now home to a few Shearar families, particularly in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.
The last name Shearar is likely of Scottish origin, coming from the Old English words "schere," or "shear," and "hara," meaning "rocky ridge." The name may have been originally given to those who lived near or on a rocky ridge. Today, though, the name Shearar carries no particular meaning. Rather, it’s simply the last name of those families who carry its legacy.
Ultimately, the last name Shearar has a strong presence in the United States today—particularly in the midwest—and is also found in a few select countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Shearar
The surname Shearar has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the more common variants are Shearar, Shearar, Shearor, Shearor, Shearer, Shearor, Sherar, Sherrard, Sherrard, Sherrad, Sheridan, Sherrod, and Sherrod.
The spelling of the surname Shearar has changed over time due to the historical inaccuracies of record keeping and to the evolution of language. In the past, the Shearar surname may have been spelled variously as Shirer, Schiarar, Schaerar, Sherar, Scharrar, or Scherar. The Fitz-Shearar and Fitz-Sherar lines were Saxon clans who took the surname of their father, Shearar or Sherar, and added "Fitz" for "son of."
The surname Shearar is also found in many other countries, spelling variations such as Shirer in England, Zeher in Germany, Siros in Hungary, Szareck in Poland, and Sherer or Sherrard in Ireland.
The nickname Sharrar or Sherrard is derived from the old English words share and hard, meaning "brave and strong." This surname is also found among Irish-American families, possibly adopted from the Irish Gaelic name O'Sherrod also spelled as Sherrod.
In conclusion, the surname Shearar has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some common spellings include Shearar, Shearor, Shearer, Shearor, Sherar, Sherrard, Sherrod, Sheridan, and Sherrod. This surname is found in many countries across Europe and the United States of America, with several variations and nicknames derived from Old English and Gaelic words.
Famous people with the name Shearar
- Dave Shearar: a famous Australian musician and composer who has released four albums and played in various bands.
- Lachlan Shearar: an award-winning Australian chef, restaurateur, and author.
- Andrew Shearar: an American actor best known for his roles in films such as Dazed and Confused and Army of Darkness.
- Annie Shearar: a prominent Canadian artist with an online presence through her work on social media platforms and her exhibition 'The Shearar Show'.
- Fred Shearar: a New Zealand-born actor and musician and the former bassist of the band INXS.
- Hilary Shearar: an American YouTuber and television producer known for her videos on parenting, relationships, and lifestyle.
- Daniel Shearar: an Australian professional golfer currently playing on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
- John Shearar: a former English cricketer who played for Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire.
- Logan Shearar: an American digital artist who specializes in 3D animation and video game music.
- Helen Shearar: an Australian politician and former Cabinet Secretary.