SHAW
Origins and Distribution
The surname Shaw is found throughout the British Isles and is recorded in England, Scotland and Ireland. It is classified as a location‑derived or topographical name of English, Gaelic and Scottish provenance, and its bearers have historically been Christian.
Etymology
The root of Shaw lies in the Old English word sceaga, meaning “a copse, small wood or thicket”. A parallel Gaelic term, seaghdha, conveys the same idea of a dweller by the wood. An alternative Old English sense of sceaga denotes a “boundary” or “division”, suggesting that the name could also have been applied to a person who lived near a border.
Topographical and Locational Forms
As a topographical name, Shaw identified an individual residing beside a wooded area. As a locational name it derived from numerous small settlements called Shaw, each of which was itself named from the same Old English element. Documented places include Shaw in Berkshire (recorded as “Essages” in the Domesday Book of 1086), Shaw in Lancashire (appearing as “Shaghe” in 1555) and a Shaw in Wiltshire (written “schaga” in the 1167 Pipe Rolls). The surname therefore reflects both a physical environment and a specific place‑name origin.
Historical Development
Early forms of the name appear in medieval records: Richard de la Schawe in Worcestershire (1275), John ate Shaw in Essex (1295) and William Bithe Shaghe in Somerset (1333). The earliest surviving spelling is that of Simon de Schage in the Berkshire Pipe Rolls of 1191, during the reign of King Richard I. Variants that have evolved over time include Shaw(e), Shay(e)s, Shave(s) and Shafe.
Notable Bearers
Among the most recognised individuals bearing the surname is the playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), who was born in Dublin to a Protestant family that traced its establishment in Ireland to Captain William Shaw, a soldier in the army of William III around 1689.
Typical given names associated with the Shaw surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Chaw
- Chawa
- Chawe
- Chew
- Chow
- Sahw
- Schar
- Schau
- Schaw
- Sha
- Shae
- Shai
- Shair
- Shaire
- Shar
- Shara
- Share
- Sharee
- Shares
- Shari
- Sharo
- Sharow
- Sharr
- Shars
- Sharu
- Shary
- Shas
- Shau
- Shaue
- Shawa
- Shawal
- Shawan
- Shawar
- Shawe
- Shawer
- Shawis
- Shawki
- Shawl
- Shawn
- Shawo
- Shawon
- Shaws
- Shawwa
- Shay
- Shea
- Shear
- Sheare
- Sheares
- Shearr
- Shears
- Shera
- Shew
- Shey
- Shiars
- Shira
- Shoar
- Shoare
- Shora
- Shower
- Showers
- Shura
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Shaw in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Shaw are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Ginger Nut.
There are approximately 95,024 people named Shaw in the UK. That makes it the 59th most common surname in Britain. Around 1,459 in a million people in Britain are named Shaw.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Shaw
- Robert Shaw - Actor and novelist (1927 to 1978)
- Martin Shaw - Actor
- Luke Shaw - Football player
- Sandie Shaw - Pop singer
- George Bernard Shaw - Irish playwright (1856 to 1950)
- Sebastian Shaw - Stage actor; movie actor; author (1905 to 1994)
- Fiona Shaw - Irish actress and director
- Roy Shaw - Boxer (1936 to 2012)
- Brian Shaw - American professional strongman
- Tracy Shaw - Actress
- Ian Shaw - Actor
- Flora Shaw, Lady Lugard - Journalist and writer (1852 to 1929)
- Tim Shaw - Radio DJ
- Vinessa Shaw - American actress
- Fiona Shaw - Novelist
- Peter Shaw - Film actor and producer (1918 to 2003)
- Susan Shaw - Actress (1929 to 1978)
- Wayne Shaw - Football player
- Gary Shaw - Football player
- Percy Shaw - Inventor (1890 to 1976)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.