An English surname, Kershaw come from the Old English terms ‘kirk’ and ‘shaw’ which refers to someone living near a stream, grove or church. Variations in spelling Kershaw include Kirkshaw, Kirshaw, Kershow and Kercher. In the northern region of Lancashire and Yorkshire are the two major locations for those in England with the Kershaw surname. In Scotland many with the Kershaw surname live in Lanarkshire, Fife, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire counties. Within the United States early Kershaw families settled in North and South Carolina, in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. By the late 1800s and into the 20th century more from England lived in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, California, Washington, Missouri and Illinois. Famous: Robert H. Kershaw (a British fighter pilot who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order during World War II), Elinor Kershaw (theater and movie film actress), Joseph Brevard Kershaw (a Confederate general during the Civil War), Sammy Kershaw (a country music singer from Louisiana), Ian Kershaw (historical author), Pete Kershaw (founder of Kershaw Knives) and Clayton Kershaw (professional baseball player).