UK surname
A surname derived from an outbuilding used for storage or shelter.
In the 1881 census there were 130 people recorded with the Shed surname, ranking it #16,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 72, ranked #33,585, down from #16,911 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Foulden, Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shed is 197 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.6%.
1881 census count
130
Ranked #16,911
Modern count
72
2016, ranked #33,585
Peak year
1891
197 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Shed surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Shed surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 165 | #12,053 |
| 1861 | historical | 192 | #12,423 |
| 1881 | historical | 130 | #16,911 |
| 1891 | historical | 197 | #15,101 |
| 1901 | historical | 194 | #15,425 |
| 1911 | historical | 78 | #25,013 |
| 1997 | modern | 73 | #30,306 |
| 1998 | modern | 74 | #30,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 78 | #30,327 |
| 2000 | modern | 73 | #30,881 |
| 2001 | modern | 67 | #31,297 |
| 2002 | modern | 70 | #31,432 |
| 2003 | modern | 68 | #31,689 |
| 2004 | modern | 73 | #31,403 |
| 2005 | modern | 70 | #31,912 |
| 2006 | modern | 68 | #32,441 |
| 2007 | modern | 67 | #32,871 |
| 2008 | modern | 72 | #32,656 |
| 2009 | modern | 71 | #33,102 |
| 2010 | modern | 75 | #33,081 |
| 2011 | modern | 68 | #33,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 69 | #33,695 |
| 2013 | modern | 72 | #33,631 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 71 | #33,666 |
| 2016 | modern | 72 | #33,585 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Foulden, Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, London parishes and Battersea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foulden | Berwick |
| 2 | Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Shed surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Shed, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Shed surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Shed household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Shed is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shed is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Shed, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SHED is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "scedde," meaning a small hut or shelter. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived in or was associated with a shed or similar structure.
Early records show variations in the spelling of the name, such as "Shedd," "Shedde," and "Schedde." The Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a John Schedd, while the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list a Robert Shedd from Gloucestershire.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain the name SHED. However, it does include place names that may have influenced the surname, such as Shedfield in Hampshire and Shedden in Yorkshire.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname SHED was Robert Shed, born in 1450 in Gloucestershire. He was a farmer and landowner, and his descendants continued to live in the region for several generations.
In the 16th century, a notable figure was William Shed (1535-1615), a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol. He played a significant role in the city's trade and governance during his lifetime.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Captain John Shed (1610-1675) fought for the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell. He was present at the Battle of Naseby in 1645, a decisive victory for the Parliamentarians.
In the 18th century, Richard Shed (1720-1798) was a renowned clockmaker from Gloucestershire. His intricate and ornate clocks were highly sought after by the aristocracy and are now considered valuable antiques.
Another notable individual was Sir Samuel Shed (1835-1912), a British industrialist and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the textile industry and donated generously to educational and charitable causes in his hometown of Huddersfield.
Throughout history, the surname SHED has been found across various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Yorkshire, where it has deep roots and a long-standing presence.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shed surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 35 Sheds recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.89x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 35 | 2.89x |
| Surrey | 33 | 5.60x |
| Essex | 11 | 4.61x |
| Berwickshire | 9 | 61.43x |
| Cambridgeshire | 9 | 11.75x |
| Kent | 7 | 1.70x |
| Sussex | 5 | 2.45x |
| East Lothian | 3 | 18.73x |
| Midlothian | 3 | 1.85x |
| Banffshire | 1 | 3.99x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.37x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.53x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.20x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.07x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.61x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.24x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.68x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 0.93x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 22 Sheds recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.44x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Battersea | 22 | 49.44x |
| Hillingdon | 16 | 414.51x |
| Foulden | 9 | 5625.00x |
| Kingston On Thames | 9 | 63.56x |
| Cherry Hinton | 7 | 1944.44x |
| Mile End Old Town | 7 | 36.67x |
| Erith | 5 | 122.85x |
| West Ham | 4 | 7.59x |
| Berwick North | 3 | 267.86x |
| Brighton | 3 | 7.29x |
| Hanwell | 3 | 140.19x |
| Bow London | 2 | 12.99x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 2 | 3.07x |
| Henham | 2 | 588.24x |
| Hernhill | 2 | 645.16x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 2.97x |
| St Andrewthe Less | 2 | 22.86x |
| West Grinstead | 2 | 327.87x |
| Westminster St John | 2 | 13.58x |
| Aspall | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Barking | 1 | 14.31x |
| Bishop Stortford | 1 | 35.97x |
| Bremhill | 1 | 208.33x |
| Burnham | 1 | 113.64x |
| Chesterfield | 1 | 14.08x |
| Dukinfield | 1 | 8.10x |
| Felstead | 1 | 121.95x |
| Great Burstead | 1 | 114.94x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.47x |
| Ham | 1 | 384.62x |
| High Laver | 1 | 500.00x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 0.95x |
| Lichfield St Michael | 1 | 78.13x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.25x |
| Ratho | 1 | 131.58x |
| Rathven | 1 | 21.23x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.03x |
| Warsop | 1 | 232.56x |
| Withington | 1 | 21.65x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Shed surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Shed surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Shed households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 26 |
| Ag lab | 4 |
| Laundress | 3 |
| General Labourer | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Waterman | 2 |
| Agl Labourer | 1 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 1 |
| Apprentice Dressmaker | 1 |
| Architect | 1 |
| Bk Laborer | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Brick Laborer | 1 |
| Brickfield Labor | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Brickr Labourer | 1 |
| Candle Maker | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Fishmonger | 1 |
| Formerly Cook | 1 |
| Garden Labourer | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| General Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| Glover | 1 |
| Horse Dealer | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Dom) | 1 |
| Labourer Genl | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Master Tonnage 45 | 1 |
| Messenger | 1 |
| Needle Woman (Seamstress) | 1 |
| Pensioner | 1 |
| Police Pensioner | 1 |
| Policeman | 1 |
| Power Loom Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Railway lab | 1 |
| Sawyer Unemployed | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Serv To The Dist Contractor | 1 |
| Solictiors Clerk | 1 |
| Tanner | 1 |
| Wife Of Gen Labourer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 130 people were recorded with the Shed surname. That placed it at #16,911 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 72 in 2016. That gives Shed a modern rank of #33,585.
A surname derived from an outbuilding used for storage or shelter.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shed bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.