UK surname
An old English occupational surname for a maker or seller of sheets.
In the 1881 census there were 30 people recorded with the Sheeter surname, ranking it #29,363 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #29,363 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Farningham, Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith and Hove. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sheeter is 155 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 76.7%.
1881 census count
30
Ranked #29,363
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1861
155 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sheeter surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sheeter surname density by area, 1891 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 | 28 | #28,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 155 | #14,881 |
| 1881 | historical | 30 | #29,363 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 18 | #32,032 |
| 1911 | historical | 14 | #32,045 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 14 | #36,522 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 9 | #37,345 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Farningham, Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith, Hove, Brighton and Balcombe. 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 | Farningham | Kent |
| 2 | Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | Hove | Sussex |
| 4 | Brighton | Sussex |
| 5 | Balcombe | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sheeter 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 Sheeter, 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 Sheeter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sheeter 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, Sheeter 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 Sheeter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sheeter, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Sheeter has its origins in England, with records showing it being present as early as the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sceatere," which means "archer" or "bowman." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have been skilled archers, possibly employed in military or hunting roles.
One of the earliest documented instances of the Sheeter surname can be found in the Worcestershire County Records from 1275, where a certain Robert Sheeter is mentioned as a landowner. This suggests that the family had already established itself in the region by that time.
In the 14th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as Sheter, Shetere, and Shettor, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that era. These variations likely arose from the different dialects and accents present in different regions.
The Sheeter name is also found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, which were a record of financial transactions and tax payments. This indicates that members of the Sheeter family were involved in commerce and held property in the area.
A notable figure bearing this surname was Sir Thomas Sheeter (1540-1612), who served as a member of the English Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was a prominent landowner and played a role in local governance.
Another noteworthy individual was William Sheeter (1620-1688), a merchant and trader who made his fortune in the West Indies trade. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and founded several charitable institutions in his hometown of Bristol.
In the 18th century, the Sheeter family had established a presence in the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of John Sheeter (1705-1782), who settled in Virginia and became a successful tobacco farmer.
The name Sheeter has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Sheeter's Green in Cheshire and Sheeter's Hill in Oxfordshire. These place names likely originated from families bearing the surname who owned or resided in those areas.
Throughout history, the Sheeter surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, merchants, farmers, and public servants. While not a particularly common name, it has left its mark on the historical records of England and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sheeter 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. Sussex leads with 13 Sheeters recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.37x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex | 13 | 26.37x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.74x |
| Surrey | 6 | 4.21x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 4.37x |
| Somerset | 1 | 2.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Balcombe in Sussex leads with 7 Sheeters recorded in 1881 and an index of 7777.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Balcombe | 7 | 7777.78x |
| Hampstead London | 5 | 109.89x |
| Hartfield | 4 | 2500.00x |
| Croydon | 3 | 37.93x |
| Barnes | 2 | 333.33x |
| Church Gresley | 2 | 273.97x |
| Islington London | 2 | 7.06x |
| Bath St James | 1 | 204.08x |
| Brighton | 1 | 10.05x |
| Broadwater | 1 | 88.50x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 3.92x |
| Westminster St John | 1 | 28.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sheeter 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 Sheeter 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 Sheeter households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Housemaid | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| House Wife | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Miller Loader | 1 |
| Parlour Maid | 1 |
| Pot Factory Girl | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Writer And Grainer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 30 people were recorded with the Sheeter surname. That placed it at #29,363 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Sheeter a modern rank of #37,967.
An old English occupational surname for a maker or seller of sheets.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sheeter 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.