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Shearer Family History

Shearer Surname Meaning

Scottish and English: occupational name for a reaper of standing crops, a sheep shearer, or someone who used shears to trim the surface of finished cloth and remove excessive nap. This term originates from Middle English sherer(e) ‘shearer’, which is an agent derivative of Middle English schere(n) ‘to shear’.

Middle English schere denoted shears and scissors of all sizes, highlighting the various applications of shearing tools in different contexts. This wide usage illustrates the importance of these tools in agricultural and textile practices.

Compare Sherman, which reflects a similar occupational derivation with a focus on the crafting or handling of materials. The connection between names and professions denotes a shared cultural and historical significance in these occupations.

Additionally, the Americanized form of German or Jewish (Ashkenazic) names like Scherer or Scherrer also connect to the same occupational roots, indicating the widespread influence of these trades across cultures.

Further variations include the Americanized form of German Scheurer, showcasing the evolving nature of surnames as they adapt to new languages and environments.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

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Where is the Shearer family from?

You can see how Shearer families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Shearer family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Shearer families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 165 Shearer families living in Lancashire. This was about 28% of all the recorded Shearer's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Shearer families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Shearer surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Shearer ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Shearer. 19% of Shearer men worked as a General Labourer and 77% of Shearer women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Shearer were Bank Clerk and Domestic Servant.

View Census Data for Shearer | 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 Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    19%
  • Builders Labourer
    7%
  • Dock Labourer Mc Ship Canal Heavy Worker
    7%
  • Bank Clerk
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    77%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Private Means
    4%
  • Domestic Servant
    2%

What Shearer family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 144,000 census records available for the last name Shearer. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Shearer census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Shearer

Passenger Lists

There are 17,000 immigration records available for the last name Shearer. 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 Shearer immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 23,000 military records available for the last name Shearer. For the veterans among your Shearer ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Shearer military records

You've only scratched the surface of Shearer family history

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What is the average Shearer lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Shearer life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1951, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Shearer in 1940 was 67, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Shearer

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Shearer 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.

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