Popularity and Origin of the Name Shaw

The Shaw name has been in use since the Middle Ages in Europe. Currently, the popularity of Shaw as a given name is increasing. At one time, Shaw was used only as a surname. In 2013, the name appeared in a list of the top 1000 Scottish baby names.

Meaning of the Name

The meaning of Shaw relates to topography and is a variation of the Middle English name Shawe. A shawe, at that time, was a person who lived next to the woods or near a thicket. In Gaelic, the name is sometimes translated to mean “Wolf”. As early as the 17th Century, the name Shaw was used in Ireland as a family surname; it had been used as a clan name in Scotland since the 12th century. Eventually, the use of the name spread to other areas including England.

Famous People with the Name

Famous people with the Shaw name include George Bernard Shaw and Luke Shaw. In Scotland, the Shaw Clan is a Scottish Highland Clan which has been in existence since the 1300’s. This family clan was founded by Shaw McDuff.

Useful Resources

See other Scottish names on our website like Shaw.