NameCensus.

UK surname

Shear

An occupational surname referring to someone who shears sheep or cuts cloth.

In the 1881 census there were 148 people recorded with the Shear surname, ranking it #15,611 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 216, ranked #18,613, down from #15,611 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Sherborne and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Exeter, Breckland and Hambleton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shear is 238 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.9%.

1881 census count

148

Ranked #15,611

Modern count

216

2016, ranked #18,613

Peak year

1911

238 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shear had 148 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,611 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 216 in 2016, ranked #18,613.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 238 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Shear surname distribution map

The map shows where the Shear surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Shear surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shear over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 115 #15,634
1861 historical 167 #13,956
1881 historical 148 #15,611
1891 historical 164 #17,205
1901 historical 218 #14,332
1911 historical 238 #13,356
1997 modern 207 #17,267
1998 modern 214 #17,366
1999 modern 210 #17,712
2000 modern 203 #18,043
2001 modern 199 #17,996
2002 modern 208 #17,848
2003 modern 206 #17,799
2004 modern 199 #18,260
2005 modern 199 #18,198
2006 modern 193 #18,675
2007 modern 203 #18,303
2008 modern 208 #18,171
2009 modern 219 #17,960
2010 modern 228 #17,844
2011 modern 213 #18,502
2012 modern 213 #18,422
2013 modern 229 #17,816
2014 modern 224 #18,202
2015 modern 219 #18,406
2016 modern 216 #18,613

Geography

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Where Shears are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Sherborne, Edinburgh, Manchester and Kenwyn, Tregavethan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Exeter, Breckland, Hambleton, Whitecraigs and Broom and North East Derbyshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Sherborne Dorset
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Kenwyn, Tregavethan Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Exeter 012 Exeter
2 Breckland 016 Breckland
3 Hambleton 004 Hambleton
4 Whitecraigs and Broom East Renfrewshire
5 North East Derbyshire 012 North East Derbyshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shear

These lists show first names that appear often with the Shear surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shear

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Shear, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Shear surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Shear household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Shear is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Shear is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Shear falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shear is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Shear, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Shear

The surname Shear is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "scear," which means "to cut" or "to shear." It is believed to have originated in England during the early medieval period, around the 7th or 8th century AD.

One of the earliest known records of the surname Shear can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as Sceara, Sceare, and Schere.

In the 13th century, the surname Shear began to appear more frequently in historical records, particularly in areas of England known for their wool and textile industries. This suggests that the name may have been associated with occupations related to sheep shearing or cloth production.

One notable individual with the surname Shear was Sir John Shear, a prominent English landowner and knight who lived during the 14th century. He is mentioned in various historical documents and was involved in several military campaigns during the Hundred Years' War.

Another notable figure was Richard Shear, a wealthy merchant and alderman in the City of London during the 15th century. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and donated funds for the construction of several churches and charitable institutions.

In the 16th century, the surname Shear can be found in various records from the county of Somerset, particularly in the areas around the town of Shepton Mallet, which may have been derived from the Old English words "scep" (sheep) and "tun" (town), suggesting a connection to the wool trade.

During the 17th century, the surname Shear was also present in parts of Scotland, where it is believed to have been introduced by English settlers. One notable Scottish figure with this surname was Robert Shear, a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Glasgow during the late 1600s.

Throughout its history, the surname Shear has been associated with various occupations and trades, particularly those related to the wool and textile industries, but also in agriculture, military service, and commerce. While the exact origins of the name may be obscured by time, its connection to the act of shearing or cutting is evident, and it has left a lasting mark on the history and culture of England and Scotland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shear families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shear surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 31 Shears recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.16x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 31 2.16x
Cornwall 27 16.63x
Surrey 17 2.43x
Warwickshire 11 3.04x
Yorkshire 11 0.77x
Lancashire 8 0.47x
Dorset 6 6.38x
Hampshire 6 2.04x
Derbyshire 5 2.23x
Devon 5 1.68x
Gloucestershire 5 1.78x
Somerset 4 1.73x
Glamorgan 2 0.80x
Kent 2 0.41x
Sussex 2 0.83x
Essex 1 0.35x
Herefordshire 1 1.70x
Midlothian 1 0.52x
Montgomeryshire 1 3.04x
Norfolk 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 11 Shears recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.05x.

Place Total Index
Aston 11 11.05x
Kenwyn 11 259.43x
Chelsea London 10 23.14x
Bow London 9 49.32x
Salford 7 13.99x
Portsea 6 10.42x
St Pancras London 6 5.20x
Wandsworth 6 43.48x
Church Gresley 5 140.06x
Gorran 5 1086.96x
Liverton 5 1515.15x
Melcombe Regis 5 128.21x
Budock 4 327.87x
Camberwell 4 4.37x
Lambeth 4 3.20x
Cheltenham 3 13.82x
Exeter St Sidwell 3 43.86x
Landulph 3 1200.00x
Bermondsey 2 4.68x
Cardiff St Mary 2 14.55x
Mile End Old Town 2 8.84x
Normanby In 2 52.63x
Shepton Beauchamp 2 645.16x
St Cleer 2 141.84x
Bere Regis 1 158.73x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 3.78x
Broadoak 1 714.29x
Broadwater 1 18.02x
Eston 1 32.36x
Goudhurst 1 74.07x
Hackney London 1 1.24x
Horton Kirby 1 131.58x
Hove 1 9.43x
Islington London 1 0.72x
Liverpool 1 0.97x
Llanbrynmair 1 128.21x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 16.56x
Normanton 1 23.42x
North Petherwyn 1 238.10x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 1 69.93x
Norwood 1 30.49x
Pontefract 1 32.68x
Ross 1 42.74x
South Leith 1 4.63x
St Mary 1 105.26x
Stapleton 1 18.76x
Tamerton Foliott 1 175.44x
Truro St Mary 1 73.53x
Walcot 1 8.14x
Wanstead 1 20.16x
Westminster St James 1 6.78x
Wimbledon 1 12.76x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Shear surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 13
Elizabeth 8
Annie 4
Ellen 3
Emma 3
Louisa 3
Ann 2
Caroline 2
Eleona 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Minnie 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Bridget 1
Diana 1
Dogherty 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
Margaretta 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
May 1
Olive 1
Pauline 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1
Tamson 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Shear surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 9
William 8
Henry 6
George 5
Thomas 5
Charles 4
Frederick 3
Francis 2
James 2
Joseph 2
Michael 2
Albert 1
Dennis 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Gabriel 1
Geo. 1
Infant 1
Jeremiah 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Shear 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Shear surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shear surname in 1881?

In 1881, 148 people were recorded with the Shear surname. That placed it at #15,611 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shear surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 216 in 2016. That gives Shear a modern rank of #18,613.

What does the Shear surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone who shears sheep or cuts cloth.

What does the Shear map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shear bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.