UK surname
A surname derived from an occupation related to archery or hunting.
In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Shoot surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #29,911 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Epping, Child Okeford, Oakford Fitzpaine, Bellchalwell, Fifehead Neville and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shoot is 123 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 34.6%.
1881 census count
26
Ranked #29,911
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1861
123 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Shoot surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Shoot surname density by area, 1861 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 | 73 | #20,581 |
| 1861 | historical | 123 | #17,914 |
| 1881 | historical | 26 | #29,911 |
| 1891 | historical | 94 | #24,820 |
| 1901 | historical | 38 | #29,914 |
| 1911 | historical | 70 | #25,853 |
| 1997 | modern | 16 | #36,292 |
| 1998 | modern | 20 | #35,885 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 18 | #36,607 |
| 2009 | modern | 20 | #36,534 |
| 2010 | modern | 22 | #36,462 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 15 | #36,982 |
| 2013 | modern | 15 | #37,046 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Epping, Child Okeford, Oakford Fitzpaine, Bellchalwell, Fifehead Neville, Manchester, Merthyr Tydfil and Bedwelty. 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 | Epping | Essex |
| 2 | Child Okeford, Oakford Fitzpaine, Bellchalwell, Fifehead Neville | Dorset |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Merthyr Tydfil | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | Bedwelty | Monmouthshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Shoot 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 Shoot, 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 Shoot surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Shoot 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, Shoot 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 Shoot is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Shoot, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SHOOT is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be an occupational name derived from the Old English word "scytan," which means "to shoot" or "to hurl." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who practiced archery or worked as an archer.
In medieval times, archery was an important skill for both military and hunting purposes. As a result, archers and bowmen held a respected position in society. The name SHOOT may have been adopted by someone skilled in this craft or who made a living through archery-related activities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the SHOOT surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a person named Robert le Shote is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.
The SHOOT surname is also found in various historical records from the 14th century onwards, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which lists a John Shote. This indicates that the name had spread across different regions of England by that time.
Notably, the SHOOT surname appears in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and populations commissioned by William the Conqueror. This early mention underscores the surname's long history in England.
Several notable individuals have borne the SHOOT surname throughout history. One such person was John Shoot (c. 1515-1572), an English Protestant martyr who was executed for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary I.
Another prominent figure was Nathaniel Shoot (1629-1696), an English Puritan minister and author who served as the pastor of St. Mary's Church in Ipswich, Suffolk.
In the realm of literature, Robert Shoot (1644-1703) was an English poet and playwright who wrote several works, including "The Husbandman's Manual" and "The Battel of Philosophers."
Sir Josiah Shoot (1688-1765) was a British naval officer and politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Dorset from 1734 to 1761.
Lastly, William Shoot (1790-1868) was a British architect known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London during the early 19th century.
These examples illustrate the widespread presence of the SHOOT surname in various fields throughout history, further emphasizing its deep-rooted origins and significance in England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shoot 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. Lancashire leads with 7 Shoots recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.33x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 7 | 2.33x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 11.33x |
| Surrey | 5 | 4.05x |
| Kent | 3 | 3.47x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 3.13x |
| Essex | 1 | 2.00x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.22x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 5.46x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.40x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 5 Shoots recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.14x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Everton | 5 | 52.14x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 5 | 117.92x |
| Camberwell | 4 | 24.69x |
| Bexley | 3 | 394.74x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 9.39x |
| Abergavenny | 1 | 144.93x |
| Bickerstaffe | 1 | 500.00x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 6.87x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 4.52x |
| Manchester | 1 | 7.39x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 30.58x |
| West Ham | 1 | 9.05x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Shoot 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 Shoot 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 Shoot households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Agent For Insurce Co | 1 |
| Assistant Butcher | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Cheesemonger Shopman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Iron Miner | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Out Of Employment | 1 |
| Pensioner | 1 |
| Ward Maid (Hosp Serv) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Shoot surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Shoot a modern rank of #36,904.
A surname derived from an occupation related to archery or hunting.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shoot 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.