Surname Squires - Meaning and Origin

A DNA Journey with iGENEA: Tracing the Squires Lineage and Discovering my Ancestral Past

"Decoding my Ancestry with iGENEA: An Exploration into my Surname Squires." Tapping into the world of genetics with iGENAEA has unravelled the mysteries of my family name, Squires. Discovering its roots and understanding the historical context has enriched my comprehension of identity, history, and personality.

A. Squires

Squires: What does the surname Squires mean?

The last name Squires is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it is a occupational surname, which was given to a person who held the civil status of a "squire." A squire originally referred to the knight's assistant in the Middle Ages, but later became a title in its own right, designating a village leader or landowner, particularly in rural or agricultural communities. Therefore, the surname Squires generally reflects an ancestry connected to these roles. The surname appears to have first emerged in the 12th century in various regions of England, including Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Yorkshire. It remains common in these regions today. In terms of spelling variations, Squire, Squair, Skyr, and Skuyer are amongst the most frequently found.

Squires: Where does the name Squires come from?

The last name Squires is most commonly found in North America, with the majority of people bearing the name being of British descent. The surname has been found in the United States since the late 1700s, and is believed to be of Norman origin.

The Squires surname appears most often in the United Kingdom, especially around England. It has also been found in Scotland, Wales, some parts of Ireland, and other Northern European countries. The last name has spread further south as well, with some people bearing the name in France, Spain, Italy, and other parts of the Mediterranean.

In the United States, the Squires surname is most often found in the Northeastern part of the country, with the name appearing frequently in New England, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and Maryland. Some states in the Midwest, such as Michigan and Ohio, also have a large number of people with the Squires surname.

Outside of the United States and United Kingdom, the Squires last name has been increasingly found in in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. People bearing the surname have also been located in smaller regions, such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, and other parts of the Caribbean.

Variations of the surname Squires

The surname Squires is derived from the Old English word “scir,” which means “shire”, or “county.” Therefore, the name is a variation of the Old English occupational title of “shire reeve,” or “shire sergeant,” which was the local sheriff responsible for law enforcement in a particular shire.

Variants of the surname Squires include Squyer, Squire, Skuyer, Skuyr, Scuyer, Schuur, and Schuyr. Spellings of the surname may include Squirees, Sqyres, Sqyers, Skipires, Skirees, Squyers, Skeers, and Squiers.

Several associated surnames of the same origin are derived from Squires. These may include Scruggs, Scrogs, Sergeant, and Serjeant.

Spelling variations of Squires may also be found as a given name, such as Squiers, Squyres, and Squyers.

Among living bearers of this surname, Squires is among the top 500 most common surnames in the United States and is particularly frequent in southern England. In Scotland, it is common in Galloway, Wigtown, and Renfrew.

Famous people with the name Squires

• Donald Squires: Actor from A Christmas Story, Grease, and She’s Out of Control.
• Carl Squires: Former US Senator from Wyoming who served from 1933-1941.
• Jack Squires: Retired English professional footballer and manager.
• Simon Squires: Actor, known for X-Men Origins and The Dark Knight Rises.
• George Squires: American flat track motorcycle racer.
• Julienne Squires: Film director and screenwriter.
• Isaac Squires: Canadian politician who represented Elgin in the Legislative Assembly from 1872 to 1886.
• David Wills Squires: Major General in the United States Marine Corps, known for leading troops in World War II and the Korean War.
• Stan Squires: Professional boxer and early Golden Glove champion from the 1940s who competed in 106 fights.
• Jean Squires: Canadian fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

Other surnames

Squire