Show ContentsShumway History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Shumway

What does the name Shumway mean?

The origin of the proud surname Shumway can be traced to the historic kingdom of Bohemia, which is now part of Czechoslovakia. In the Middle Ages, many of the Bohemian were a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was characterized by the Feudal System. Before this era, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travelers set out on their journeys, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Many people, such as the Shumway family, adopted the name of their feudal occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Shumway was an occupational name for a cobbler. The name Shumway is derived from the Old German words "schuoch" and the suffix "mann," which means shoe maker.

Early Origins of the Shumway family

The surname Shumway was first found in the eastern regions of Saxony and Bohemia, where the family was established in ancient times.

Early History of the Shumway family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shumway research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1299, 1474, 1782, 1790, 1810 and 1856 are included under the topic Early Shumway History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shumway Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Schumann, Schuman, Schuhman, Schuhmann, Schuhermann, Schumacher, Shuhmacher, Schomann (northern Germany), Schomacher (northern Germany), Schomaker (northern Germany) and many more.

Early Notables of the Shumway family

More information is included under the topic Early Shumway Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shumway Ranking

In the United States, the name Shumway is the 6,252nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


Shumway migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Shumway Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Peter Shumway, who landed in Massachusetts in 1660-1675 2
Shumway Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • E. L. Shumway, aged 24, who immigrated to America, in 1895
  • Genevieve D. Shumway, aged 24, who settled in America, in 1896
  • Chas. V. Shumway, aged 40, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
Shumway Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • A. H. Shumway, aged 21, who landed in America, in 1905
  • Anna Shumway, aged 9, who settled in America from Yottingen, in 1905
  • Arthur Shumway, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States, in 1906
  • Daniel B. Shumway, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1907
  • Harry J. Shumway, who landed in America, in 1908
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Shumway (post 1700) +

  • Norman David Shumway (1934-2022), American lawyer and politician, Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation (1991-1993), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California (1979-1991)
  • Norman E. Shumway (1923-2006), pioneering American heart surgeon at Stanford University
  • John Shumway, American journalist, KDKA-TV reporter and KDKA radio morning host
  • James "Jim" Shumway, American election administrator, Secretary of State of Arizona
  • F. Ritter Shumway (1906-1992), American figure skater, inducted into the U.S. and World Figure Skating Hall of Fame (1986)
  • Suzanne Shumway, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 107th District, 2012 3
  • Samuel Shumway, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Essex County, 1843 3
  • Ned Shumway, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Calhoun County 1st District, 1954 3
  • Milton A. Shumway (b. 1849), American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives, 1886-87; Member of Connecticut State Senate 16th District, 1891-92 3
  • Dale R. Shumway, American politician, Mayor of Tempe, Arizona, 1970-74 3
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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