Surname Shumate - Meaning and Origin

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Unveiling the roots of my ancestry with the iGENEA DNA test became an unexpected journey into an exciting mesh of cultural discovery and engrossing history. I finally had an understanding of the Shumate lineage that was deeply intertwined with my existence.

A. Shumate

Shumate: What does the surname Shumate mean?

The surname Shumate is of English origin, derived from the old English term "Scemat", which means "tailor" or "cutter of cloth". The name is occupational in nature, referring to an individual's profession. Over the centuries, the spelling evolved and variants such as Shumate, Shoemate, and Schemate came into existence. Quite often, in medieval England, surnames were created based on an individual's job or occupation, which helped in identifying people within a community. So, a person bearing the surname Shumate or its variants would have ancestors who were tailors or engaged in jobs related to tailoring and cloth cutting. It is also possible that the name gained geographic variations based on how regionally people pronounced it. Thus, the name carries a rich history of the trade and workmanship of the individual's forebears.

Shumate: Where does the name Shumate come from?

The surname Shumate is of English origin, believed to be geographical, derived from someone who lived near a particular physical feature, maybe a hill called "Shu". More specifically, it is thought to have first appeared following the Norman Conquest in England in the 11th Century. However, some sources also indicate that the name might have French roots stemming from the name Choumat, of ancient Norman descent.

In terms of its contemporary prevalence, the United States has the highest number of people with the Shumate surname. According to recent census data, the Shumate family is most concentrated in North Carolina and Virginia. There's also considerable presence in Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, and California. On a world scale, besides the United States, Shumate individuals are also found in small numbers in Canada, England, and Australia. Please note, as populations move and intermarry, surname origins can become obscured, and distribution can change.

Variations of the surname Shumate

The surname Shumate is a unique surname with both English and French origins. It is believed to have derived from the Old French name "Chouan" which means owl.

Some of its spelling variants include Schumate, Shumatt, Shoumat, Shuemate, Shewmate, and Shewmat. There might be other phonetic spellings, considering the regional dialects and language changes over time.

Consider the surnames Showman and Shoemate as potentially of the same origin because during the course of time, it's very common for family names to often undergo spelling variations. Because of this, you might also consider surnames like Summitt, Summate, Somat, Showmeth, and few others are believed to be alterations of Shumate.

Moreover, during the 1700s and 1800s, it wasn't unusual for immigrants' names to be Americanized or Anglicized, further adding to the variations.

The surname Shumate can also take suffixes and prefixes common to both English and French surnames, so names like DeShumate, LaShumate, Shumatefille or Shumateson may also exist. However, information about its variants needs to be validated from genealogical and ancestry records for accurate understanding.

Famous people with the name Shumate

• Shane Shumate: A noteworthy filmmaker and director known for his work in a myriad of independent films and commercials.
• Valorie Armstrong Shumate: A relatively famous actress known for appearing in productions like Ryan's Hope and All My Children.
• Greg Shumate: An American Politician who served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for four terms.
• Jerry Shumate: A retired professional Basketball Player and coach who is famous for his contributions to various NBA teams.
• John Shumate: A former NBA player who starred for the Phoenix Suns and the Buffalo Braves, currently serving as a scout for the Phoenix Suns.
• Ken Shumate: A well-known radio announcer in the Pacific Northwest for more than three decades.
• Sam Shumate: A notable musician known as the drummer for the popular rock band, The Kentucky Headhunters.
• Dr. Susan Shumate: an educator in Raleigh County Schools, recognized for her valuable contributions in education. It should be noted that while the people on this list have garnered some level of fame or recognition within their respective fields, none are internationally competitive with the popularity of top-tier celebrities or public figures.

Other surnames

ShumakeShumakerShuman