Shear is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: Barry Shear (1923–1979), American film director and producer Byron D. Shear (1869–1929), American politician Claudia Shear (born 1962), American actress and playwright Cornelius Lott Shear (1865–1956), American mycologist and plant pathologist David B. Shear (born 1954), American diplomat Harold E. Shear (1918–1999), American Navy admiral Joe Shear (1943–1998), American race car driver Jules Shear (born 1952), American singer-songwriter Linda Shear (born 1948), American musician Marie Shear (1940–2017), American writer and activist Matthew Shear (born 1984), American actor Michael D. Shear, American journalist Rhonda Shear (born 1954), American entertainer and entrepreneur Tom Shear, American musician and music producer Wayne G. Shear Jr., American Navy admiral William Shear (born 1942), American zoologist