Surname Shipman - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing My Ancestral Roots: A DNA Test’s Surprise Revelations About My Shipman Heritage
Before the DNA test, I only had scattered pieces of my family history, which couldn't form a consistent story. The surnames, places, and vague stories that my elders painted didn't seem significant enough. However, the journey with iGENEA gave me a more comprehensive canvas where I could paint my genealogy with the vivid shades of truth and reality. The Shipmans, as I came to know, were no ordinary people, but bearers of an undeniably rich and resilient heritage. The test didn't just enumerate my ancestors; it summoned a sense of connection and belonging to this lineage harbored within me, waiting to be kindled. Following the test, I inferred that my heritage was rooted in regions unexpected, cultures unexplored, and history untapped. The Shipmans, thought to be sternly British, turned out to have European roots. The realization that my blood carries the essence of different continents was equal parts shocking and enlightening. With this newfound information, my affinity towards certain cultures and my inclination towards certain behaviors made more sense. It has been a transformative trip of self-discovery, prompting me to embrace multiple layers of my identity. Moreover, the embedded narratives of strength and survival shaped my essence. Foreseeing the hardships and obstacles they faced, I understood where my resilience originates, instilling in me a sense of pride for what I carry within me. The data served more than just adding branches to my family tree. It carried a sense of legacy and heritage, knit together in a web of DNA, defining who I am with greater clarity than ever before. My DNA test at iGENEA was a necessary dig into a past that has encapsulated the spirit of exploration, tenacity, resilience, and adaptability of my ancestors, molding the Shipman I am today.
B. Shipman
read moreShipman: What does the surname Shipman mean?
The last name Shipman is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an occupational surname. It originally derived from the Middle English term "shipmann" which translates to "sailor" or "seaman". The term was used to denote a man who worked on or operated ships—whether it be an oarsman, a helmsman, or even a ship-master or ship-owner. Occupational surnames like Shipman were typically assigned to individuals based on their profession. Therefore, if someone bore the surname Shipman, it would signify to others that their occupation involved managing, sailing, or maintaining ships or boats. Over time, as surnames gradually became hereditary, the descendants would continue to use this surname, regardless of their profession.
Order DNA origin analysisShipman: Where does the name Shipman come from?
The last name Shipman is quite common around the world today. It is most common in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the UK, the last name is most commonly found in the London area, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and Lancashire. According to the website "Forebears", it is among the top 1,000 most common surnames in the UK, with an estimated 8,139 people with the last name currently living there.
In Canada, Shipman is also a relatively common name. According to the official Canadian census, it is the 590 most common name, with 8,109 people registered with it.
The American census records showed that the Shipman name was the 803rd most popular last name, with just over 23,000 people registered with it. It is most common in states such as Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Texas.
Shipman is also a popular last name in Australia, where there are estimated to be at least 3,179 people living with the name. The vast majority of people with that name live in New South Wales, followed by Victoria and Queensland.
In New Zealand, it is not one of the top 1,000 surnames, but the estimated 558 people with it is enough to still make it a fairly common name. Those with the last name mainly live in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Variations of the surname Shipman
Shipman is an English surname that derives from an occupational name referring to a person who worked with ships. Variants of this surname include Shipmann, Shippman, Shippmann, and Schepman. The Dutch version of the name is Scheepman, stemming from the Dutch word “scheep” (ship).
Less common alternate spellings of Shipman include Schipman, Shypman, and Shypmann. Occasionally, the name may also be spelled without a lieutenant ‘p’. In instances where the spelling has deviated, it may also appear as Shiman, Shimen, Shimmon, Simman, Simmen, Simmin, Syman, Symman, Symen, Symmon, and Sipman.
Shipman is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from a father's given name. Common patronymic surnames similar to Shipman include Spicer, Shuter, Soper, Smith, Fletcher, Shoemaker, and Shepherd.
The name has seen a range of variations in spelling over the years. Records show the name is most commonly associated with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Some of the earliest instances of the name being found in the US is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where land was purchased by John Shipman in 1743. Ann Shipman was additionally found having resided in New York in 1771.
Famous people with the name Shipman
- Karen Shipman: an American politician from Arizona who is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives representing District 5.
- Julian Shipman: a British actor who is best known for his role as Marcus Collins in the TV series Hollyoaks and Dr. Alex Kiern in the BBC drama series Doctors.
- Peter Shipman: an English author who wrote the book The Wild Oats Project, about his experience of reclaiming his active life after being diagnosed with Parkinson' disease.
- Beverly Shipman: an American actor who starred in the hit show Roseanne.
- Dean Shipman: an American voice actor who has done voice work for the animated series The Simpsons and Futurama.
- Brad Shipman: a Canadian former ice hockey player who played in the NHL from 1984 to 1991.
- Aileen Shipman: an American journalist and columnist who wrote for several newspapers, including the New York Times and the Washington Post.
- Dickie Shipman: a British actor and comedian who is best known for his role as Zak Dingle on the soap opera Emmerdale. 9.Betty Shipman: an American actress who has appeared on film and television shows, such as The Nanny, According to Jim and Malcolm in the Middle.
- Dianne Shipman: an American novelist who wrote The Bad Mothers’ Club and Hearts on Hold, both bestsellers.