Shakespeare etymology

Etymology

The surname "Shakespeare" is a variant of the Middle English surname "Schakespere," which is derived from the Old English words:

  • scacan (to shake)
  • spere (a maker of spears)

Meaning

The original meaning of "Shakespeare" was likely "a man who makes spears". However, over time, the name came to be associated with the famous playwright William Shakespeare, and thus it is often interpreted as meaning "one who shakes (the world) with his words".

Origin

The Shakespeare surname was first recorded in the 13th century in Warwickshire, England. The earliest known bearer of the name was a man named William Shakespeare who lived in Stratford-upon-Avon in the 14th century. It is not known for certain whether this man was related to the famous playwright, but it is a possibility.

The Shakespeare family lived in Stratford-upon-Avon for several generations. John Shakespeare, the father of the playwright, was a successful glover and wool dealer. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 and baptized on April 26th. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith.

William Shakespeare became a playwright and actor in London in the 1590s. He wrote some of the most famous plays in the English language, including "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," "Macbeth," and "King Lear." He died in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1616 and is buried in the town's Holy Trinity Church.

The Shakespeare surname is still common in England today. It is ranked as the 47th most common surname in the country.

Shakespeare relate terms

  • shake

    Etymology Middle English shaken from Old English sceacan to move to and fro violentl

  • shock

    Etymology The word shock comes from the Middle English word shok which in turn is de

  • Shakespere

    Etymology The surname Shakespeare is a combination of two Old English words schak o

  • Shakespeare

    Etymology The surname Shakespeare is a variant of the Middle English surname Schakespe

  • bowdlerize

    Etymology Originated from the name of Thomas Bowdler an English physician and editor

  • aught

    Etymology The word aught comes from Middle English aught which in turn derived from

  • dwindle

    Etymology Old English dwindan to decrease grow less probably of Germanic origin re

  • mettle

    Etymology and Meaning Mettle originates from the Old French word metaille which origi

  • lush

    Etymology The word lush comes from the Middle English word lusche which means soft

  • famish

    Etymology Old French afamer c 12th century Late Latin affamare to cause to starve

  • ghastly

    Etymology Old English gæstlic 10th century meaning terrible dreadful fearful Pr

  • apply

    Etymology refers to the study of the origin and history of words It can provide insights

  • default

    Etymology The word default comes from the French word défaut meaning lack faul

  • coroner

    Etymology The word coroner is derived from the Anglo Norman French word corouner whi