This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Shilds family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Shilds Family History

Shilds Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Shields, Shilts, Sheilds, Childs, Child, Hils, Schild, Shield, Hild

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Shilds family from?

You can see how Shilds families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Shilds family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Shilds families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 7 Shilds families living in London. This was about 64% of all the recorded Shilds's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Shilds families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Shilds surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Shilds ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Shilds. 100% of Shilds women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Shilds | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    100%

What Shilds family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Shilds. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Shilds census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Shilds

Passenger Lists

There are 286 immigration records available for the last name Shilds. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Shilds immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 276 military records available for the last name Shilds. For the veterans among your Shilds ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Shilds military records

You've only scratched the surface of Shilds family history

Discover More

What is the average Shilds lifespan?

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Shilds ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Shilds

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Shilds family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial