SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "S"

[Saddler], [Sainsbury], [Salter], [Samuels], [Sanders], [Sangster], [Saunders], [Savage], [Sawyer], [Sayer], [Schreiber], [Schumacher], [Schwarz], [Scott], [Scrivener], [Seamen], [Sebright], [Sergeant], [Sewell], [Sexton], [Seycombe], [Sharp], [Shearman], [Sheehan], [Sheen], [Sheldon], [Shelley], [Shepherd], [Shields], [Shoemaker], [Short], [Simmonds], [Simpson], [Skinner], [Slater], [Smith], [Souter], [Spicer], [Spring], [Stanley],  [Stephens], [Stewart], [Stock], [Stoddart], [Stoke], [Stone], [Stowe], [Straing], [Stringer], [Stuart], [Sullivan], [Sumner], [Sumpter], [Susman], [Sutcliffe], [Sutherland], [Swain], [Sweeney] 

SADDLER - Thought to be derived from the leather workers who produced the saddles, tracery and general leatherwork which would have been common, at a time when horses were the main form of transport. Even in Pre-Roman Britain the widespread use of carts, chariots, etc was recorded, so the leather working crafts have an extensive history, although the attachment of a workers trade-name to both him and his family is probably more recent. The modern word is thought to have its early roots in the Old English word "SADOL".

SAINSBURY - Reported to have been members of William the Conquerors forces which invaded Britain to dispute the rights to the English throne. Originally known as Seynesbury, the surname has been anglicised over time and the modern day family remain wealthy and influential in British life.

SALTER - Large scale Salt production was brought to Britain by the Romans and their production sites are still commonly remembered in the modern day place name suffix "wich". The present day word "Salary" is also thought to owe its early origins to the payment of troops in Salt. Throughout Britain, most regions will have a Salter's Brook, Salter's Way or similar, all of which reflect the widespread transport of this much needed and highly valuable commodity. The modern surname derives from peoples' direct involvement with producing or transporting Salt. 

SAMUELS - A Biblical name which no doubt first came to Britain with Christian missionaries in the aftermath of the Saxon invasion of the country. The modern day family name almost certainly comes from the practice of identifying father and son ie: Samuel's son = Samuelson = Samuels

SANDERS - The German word "Sandler" means either a "carter of sand" or a "repairer of shoes" which presumably could have applied to either tradesman. Arriving in Britain with continental migrants or invaders, the original word SANDLER remains a recognised surname, as does its variations. Another source for the family name, SAUNDERS, is shown below.

SANGSTER - A fairly unusual family name which is thought to derive for an occupational title for a SINGER or Songwriter.

SAUNDERS - Suggested as a derivation of the common first name Alex(S)ANDER, it is just as likely that the name is a variation of the similarly sounding Sandler, which is shown above.

SAVAGE - Typically associated with things, places or people which are "wild" or "uncivilized". The modern English spelling is thought to originate from the French word "Sauvage"

SAWYER - An occupational title for a man who cut wood into planks with the use of a saw.

SAYER - Alternatively called Sayers, the name is thought to originate from the Welsh/Celtic word for a "carpenter", which might be derived from the similarly constructed "SAWYER".

SCHREIBER - Derived from the German word for a "Scribe" or "Secretary" and remains a generally foreign name rather than English.

SCHUMACHER - Derived from the German word for "Shoemaker" which remains a generally foreign name rather than an English one.

SCHWARZ - The German word for "Black" or denoting a "Dark Appearance" and occasionally used as "Schwarzer".

SCOTT - Thought to originate from the independent country of Scotland in Northern Britain. The 8th and final Norman Earl of Chester bore the designation John the Scot, perhaps recognising some sort of personal association or heritage with that nation. The title "Scotus", the possible root for the names Scotland, Scottish and Scot is thought to have originated with the Irish Gaels who used it to identify the "strangers" who came to their lands.

SCRIVENER - Reported to derive from an occupational title for a scribe or notary, at a time when few people could actually read or write. A variant of the surname is SCRIVENS

SEAMAN - In common with the alternative name "Mariner" the name probably derives from a mans association with or employment by "the sea", which has attached itself to him and his family.

SEBRIGHT - An early Anglo Saxon Lord was reported to have carried this name

SERGEANT - A military rank which has extensive historic origins ie: Serjeant at Arms. The title or post probably came to Britain with the Norman forces of William the Conqueror and in Old English was spelled SERGENT. Alternative spelling includes SARGEANT & SARGENT.

SEWARD - Derived from an early, possibly Anglo Saxon name, "Sigweard" which was thought to mean "victorious protector". The similar sounding SIWARD was also an early Anglo Saxon forename. However, the name might equally originate from the contraction of the occupational title for a "swineherd" or "pig herder" who was responsible for driving pigs into the forest so that they could forage for food.

SEWELL - There are 2 suggested sources for the origin of the modern family name. The first is the early forename "Sewel" which is thought to have meant strength. The second explanation is its identification of a specific geographical location ie: the place of Seven Wells.

SEXTON - The Anglo Saxon suffix "Sex" is thought to denote and identify "Saxon" origins. The name is also thought to identify a religious post-holder, who was responsible for maintaining the church grounds and possibly digging graves.

SEYCOMBE - Generally used as a suffix, the letters "ey" indicate an association with an area of dry land ie: Isle or Island. However, in this particular case the prefix "Sey" is thought to mean the same thing. The "Combe" suffix is derived from the Old English word meaning "small valley".

SHANKLY - The name might originate from a Germanic word "Schenke" which was associated with a person who dispensed wines to diners or guests. Alternatively, the term "shanks" was commonly used to describe a persons legs (as in the case of King Edward I who was known as "Longshanks") and might suggest another possible source for the name. In Scotland the name Cruikshank, ws thought to denote a man with "crooked legs".

SHARP - Commonly thought to have originated from a descriptive term for an individual, either for their looks or behaviour, it is said to have been derived from the early English word "scharp".

SHEARMAN - A trade or craft which was reported to have been part of the early cloth industries. It's possible that the name relates to the use of "shears" or "cutters" within their trade, which would have also been used by "Shearers" when cutting the fleeces of sheep. The German name/title "Scherer" means "a person who shaves others" and might be the origins for the later English form, having come to Britain with foreign migrants or invaders.

SHEEHAN - An Irish family name which is thought to originate from "Siodhachain" a Gaelic name or word denoting a "peaceful" person.

SHEEN - Said to originate from the Anglo Saxon word for "Fair" or "Handsome"

SHELDON - The "Shel" prefix is thought to originate from the word "Scylf" indicating a shelf or ledge. The "Don" suffix stems from the word "dun" which identified a hill.

SHELLEY - The "Shel" prefix is thought to originate from the word "Scylf" indicating a shelf or ledge. The "Ley" suffix identified an area of cleared ground.

SHEPHERD - Derived from the occupation of "sheep herder" which possibly has its origins in one of mankind's very earliest civilisations. Commonly the task of "guarding" or "herding" a communities livestock would have been given to the adolescent males of the settlement who had not yet achieved adulthood.

SHIELDS - There are at least 2 potential sources for the root of the modern family name. The first lies in the occupational term for an "armourer" and specifically a man employed to produce shields. The second source is derived from the early word "Scieldu" which is reported to have identified the shallow part of a water course.

SHOEMAKER - A trade closely associated with the leather working industry. Most medieval towns or cities would have had a Shoemakers Row or Street where members of the same trade would have conducted their business.

SHORT - In common with the personal designation of "Little" the surname possibly originates from the practice of accurately distinguishing one particular individual from another. Physical stature would have been one method of identifying one man from another within a settlement that had a number of individuals with the same first names.

SIMMONDS - Possibly deriving from the common first name "Simon" which is thought to mean "gracious"

SIMPSON - Possibly deriving from the common first name "Simon" which is thought to mean "gracious"

SKINNER - No doubt derived from and associated with the historic leather trades which have been a part of Britain's economy even before the forces of Rome occupied these islands. As with other related livestock related trades the practice of "skinning" a slaughtered animal would have been highly skilled.

SLATER - This surname possibly has slightly later origins than most that are directly associated with common trades or crafts, given that the widespread use of slates as construction materials is thought to be a relatively modern concept.  

SMITH - Thought to denote a "worker with" or "manufacturer of" metals and related products. The German word or name "Schmidt" means the same and might well be the foundation for our own English name, having come to Britain with foreign migrants or invaders. The Irish/Gaelic source of the name is thought to derive from the word "Gabhann".

SOUTER - The "Sout" part of the name possibly might derive from the early English word "Suod" which refers to "South" or "Southerly" and might indicate a locative origin for the name. Much more likely is an occupational title for a shoe-maker.

SPICER - A central tradesman for most early settlements in Britain, through their trading in exotic spices, which people used to season or flavour their foods. As with most traders, the Spicers would generally group their businesses together eg: Spicers Row or Street

SPRING - Often used as both a prefix or suffix for another common name eg: Springfield. Its roots probably derive from the site of a fresh water source.

STAMM - From the German meaning a "Tree Trunk" or "Stump".

STANLEY - There is a suggestion that this forename or family name has been originally derived from a place in Northwest Britain and made up from two separate words "Stand" and "Leigh".

STEPHENS - Originates from "Stephen's son" which has been contracted, but which still exists as a separate surname. The variations Stevens or Stevenson are both thought to be Americanised versions of the early English names. The forename Stephen is said to originate from the Greek "Stephanos" meaning "Garland" or "Crown" and was first brought to Britain with the forces of William the Conqueror. In its Americanised form, the name is generally spelled with a "V" rather than "PH".

STEWART - Derives from a occupational post which is specifically Scottish, but might have its early roots in the name Sigurdsson which was altered to Shuardson and then to Stewartson. However, the family name also has an Irish variant, which is thought to derive from the Gaelic word "Stiobhard" which indentified someone who "supervised" or "managed" events and activities, making it the more likely source of the modern day family name.  

STOCK - The German word for "Stick" or "Tree Trunk" and another possible origin for modern day family names like Stockton, etc. Stock is commonly used as a general term for farmed animals and may have its origins in the Old English words "Stocc" or "Stoke" which may have been applied to an an outlying farm or animal enclosure.

STODDARD - The modern name might derive from the early English words "Stod" which identified a place where horses were bred and kept and "Herde" which related to those individuals involved in "herding" and "caring for" stock animals.

STOKE - Alternatively spelt as "Stocc", this Old English word is thought to denote an "outlying farm" or "animal enclosure".

STONE - Possibly owes its origins to the site of a monument or obelisk which is a local landmark.

STOW - Commonly used as a suffix, this Old English word is thought to denote a "meeting" or "holy" place and today would generally be spelled STOWE.

STRAING - The word or family name is thought to originate from the Viking Norse word "Strangr" which identified or described a "stranger". Variation includes STRANG.

STRINGER - Thought to derive from an occupational title for a man who strung bows and who worked with the BOWYERS, FLETCHERS, etc. to produce weapons.

STUART - Most closely associated with the royal family of Scotland ie: Charles Stuart

SULLIVAN - A family name commonly associated with Gaelic roots, it is thought to originate from the forename "Sulleabhain" which was said to mean a "dark eyed" person.

SUMNER - Thought to be a contracted form of the occupational title "summoner", responsible for calling or summoning people to appear before the courts.

SUMPTER - A modern family name which is thought to originate from an early occupational title for a man who was a PORTER.

SUSMAN - The German word describing an "Affectionate Appearance" and probably the root of the variant Suzman, etc.

SUTCLIFFE - The name may originate from "Sut" being related to the South and "Cliffe" referring to a rocky precipice or rock face, suggesting its use as a geographical or locative name which became associated with people who lived there.

SUTHERLAND - Similarly, this family name may well originate from a prefix associated with a place which was located in a "southerly" location and the common word "Land".

SWAIN - Considered by some to be a derivative of the seafaring post of Coxswain, although the forename "Sweyne" has been reported for a Danish leader in 1003AD. More likely, is the early occupational title for an animal "herder".

SWEENEY - Commonly thought to be of Irish/Gaelic origin and deriving from the name "Suibhne" which was thought to mean "pleasing"

DOES YOUR LAND OR PROPERTY CONTAIN HIDDEN, LOST OR UNDISCOVERED TREASURES? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Produced and maintained by Phillip E Jones @ Mobile 07756 693258 Text: 07914 189032

Mail Contact: 3 Riverside Park, Sealand, Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 2JR