Etymology Map
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Sheep

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means a domesticated animal kept for its wool and meat

Where does the word "sheep" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic skēpą, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
skēpą
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"sheep"
of unknown origin; German 'Schaf' is a cousin
2
Stage 2 of 3
scēap
Old English · 700s-1000s
"sheep"
the plural was already the same as the singular
3
Stage 3 of 3
sheep
English · 1500s
"sheep"
the meat is 'mutton', from French: the same split as 'cow' and 'beef'
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Sheep’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: skēpą meant “sheep.” Of unknown origin; German 'Schaf' is a cousin. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as scēap. The plural was already the same as the singular. It reached English by 1500s as sheep. The meat is 'mutton', from French: the same split as 'cow' and 'beef'. Today, sheep means a domesticated animal kept for its wool and meat.