Shaw is a name of more than one root that became part of Irish family life, and one carried by a giant of the theatre.
Where does the Shaw name come from?
Shaw is, in its English and Scottish form, a topographic surname from the Old English sceaga, “a small wood or thicket,” for someone who lived by such a wood. In Ireland it sometimes also rendered Gaelic names such as Mac Giolla Sheathnaigh by similarity of sound. The strands meet under the single spelling Shaw.
Shaw in Ireland
The name became established among settler families, particularly in Ulster and in Dublin. It is famously borne by George Bernard Shaw, the Dublin-born playwright and Nobel laureate. As a settled name, Shaw is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Shannon, Sheehan, and Barry.
Carry the Shaw name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — ornaments, woven blankets, mugs and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Shaw collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shaw an Irish surname?
Shaw is of English and Scottish origin and became a settled name in Ireland, especially in Ulster and Dublin.
What does Shaw mean?
It is a topographic name for someone who lived by a small wood or thicket.
Is there a Shaw family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Shaw products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
