UK surname
A surname of possible German or Ashkenazic Jewish origin, possibly derived from the German word "schirmen" meaning "to protect" or "shield."
In the 1881 census there were 137 people recorded with the Shurman surname, ranking it #16,358 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 32, ranked #35,887, down from #16,358 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Bunwell and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shurman is 137 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 76.6%.
1881 census count
137
Ranked #16,358
Modern count
32
2016, ranked #35,887
Peak year
1881
137 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Shurman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Shurman 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 | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1861 | historical | 112 | #19,279 |
| 1881 | historical | 137 | #16,358 |
| 1891 | historical | 115 | #21,878 |
| 1901 | historical | 103 | #22,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 88 | #24,041 |
| 1997 | modern | 23 | #35,484 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 28 | #34,936 |
| 2002 | modern | 28 | #35,139 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 27 | #35,956 |
| 2009 | modern | 30 | #35,871 |
| 2010 | modern | 32 | #35,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 31 | #35,892 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 31 | #35,939 |
| 2016 | modern | 32 | #35,887 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Bunwell, London parishes, Sheepshead and St John Hackney. 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 | Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Bunwell | Norfolk |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Sheepshead | Leicestershire |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Shurman 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 Shurman, 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 Shurman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Shurman 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, Shurman 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 Shurman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Shurman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Shurman has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "scur" and "mann," meaning a man who worked in the barn or shed. This occupation-based surname initially indicated a person responsible for managing the storage and preservation of crops and agricultural supplies.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Shurman can be found in various historical documents from the 13th century. One notable example is the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, which mention a certain John Shurman in the year 1273. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 list a Richard Shurman among the taxpayers.
During the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Shermanne, Shureman, and Shyreman, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. Some records also suggest a connection between the surname and the village of Shurmanbury in Oxfordshire, indicating a possible link to a place of origin.
Notable individuals bearing the Shurman surname throughout history include:
1. William Shurman (c. 1565 - 1628), an English clergyman and author known for his work "A Briefe Resolution of a Right Religion."
2. Robert Shurman (1598 - 1672), a Dutch philosopher and theologian, who advocated for women's education and was the tutor of the renowned scholar Anna Maria van Schurman.
3. Anna Maria van Schurman (1607 - 1678), a Dutch poet, engraver, and scholar, widely regarded as one of the most educated women of her time.
4. John Shurman (1717 - 1794), an American lawyer and politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from New Hampshire.
5. Edward Shurman (1812 - 1888), a British architect known for his Gothic Revival designs, including the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Tonbridge, Kent.
While the Shurman surname may have originated from humble occupational roots, it has since been associated with notable figures across various fields, showcasing the diverse paths taken by those bearing this historic name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shurman 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. Surrey leads with 36 Shurmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 36 | 5.53x |
| Middlesex | 18 | 1.35x |
| Norfolk | 13 | 6.33x |
| Berkshire | 11 | 10.97x |
| Warwickshire | 11 | 3.26x |
| Gloucestershire | 10 | 3.82x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 0.57x |
| Essex | 7 | 2.65x |
| Derbyshire | 6 | 2.87x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 1.67x |
| Oxfordshire | 3 | 3.64x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 2.48x |
| Dorset | 2 | 2.28x |
| Sussex | 2 | 0.89x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.43x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.37x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.09x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aldworth in Berkshire leads with 9 Shurmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 7500.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aldworth | 9 | 7500.00x |
| Bunwell | 9 | 2307.69x |
| Woking | 9 | 229.59x |
| Kingston On Thames | 7 | 44.76x |
| Leckhampton | 7 | 434.78x |
| Aston | 6 | 6.47x |
| Shirland | 6 | 384.62x |
| Walthamstow | 6 | 63.22x |
| Birmingham | 5 | 4.45x |
| Chipstead | 5 | 1724.14x |
| Teddington London | 5 | 165.02x |
| Ardwick | 4 | 27.97x |
| Caston | 4 | 1600.00x |
| Lambeth | 4 | 3.43x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 3 | 8.66x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 3.51x |
| Cranleigh | 3 | 315.79x |
| Hackney London | 3 | 4.00x |
| Kingswood | 3 | 1666.67x |
| Paddington London | 3 | 6.11x |
| Poplar London | 3 | 11.90x |
| Caversham | 2 | 121.21x |
| Mansfield Woodhouse | 2 | 166.67x |
| Melcombe Regis | 2 | 55.10x |
| Newchurch | 2 | 15.42x |
| Ruislip | 2 | 298.51x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 2.80x |
| Tingewick | 2 | 555.56x |
| Battersea | 1 | 2.03x |
| Bloxham | 1 | 123.46x |
| Brighton | 1 | 2.20x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 7.80x |
| Chester St Nicholas | 1 | 526.32x |
| Clifton | 1 | 7.55x |
| Egham | 1 | 25.00x |
| Gloucester St Owen | 1 | 344.83x |
| Great Amwell | 1 | 108.70x |
| Hurstpierpoint | 1 | 80.00x |
| Mucklestone | 1 | 232.56x |
| New Windsor | 1 | 29.67x |
| Plumtree | 1 | 526.32x |
| South Hamlet | 1 | 61.73x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 5.81x |
| Wantage | 1 | 62.50x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Shurman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 7 |
| Mary | 7 |
| Eliza | 5 |
| Alice | 4 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Jane | 3 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Catherine | 2 |
| Frances | 2 |
| Hannah | 2 |
| Harriett | 2 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Cybil | 1 |
| Elizebeth | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Jemima | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Lavinia | 1 |
| Lorener | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Lousia | 1 |
| Marian | 1 |
| Martha | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| Phillis | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
| Sybil | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Shurman 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 Shurman households.
FAQ
In 1881, 137 people were recorded with the Shurman surname. That placed it at #16,358 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 32 in 2016. That gives Shurman a modern rank of #35,887.
A surname of possible German or Ashkenazic Jewish origin, possibly derived from the German word "schirmen" meaning "to protect" or "shield."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shurman 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.