The English origin for Shields comes from the Old English term of ‘schele’ which meant a hut, shelter or shed. It is also a Scottish surname in the southern region. Variations in spelling for Shields include Shiells, Sheilds, Sheal and Shield. In England the Shields surname originated in the northern region of England around Durham and Northumberland. It is also found in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumberland, Westmorland and the city of London. In Scotland the Shields families primarily live in Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire, in the southwestern region. Within the United States the predominantly locations for Shields families was in New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, California and Texas. Famous: Brooke Shields (model and actress), Frank Shields (professional tennis player and actor), John Shields (a member of the 19th century Lewis and Clark Expedition), Will Shields (professional football player), Scot Shields (professional baseball player), Paul Shields (a Scottish footballer), Jimi Shields (musician) and Carol Shields (author - writer).