Sherring History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The Sherring surname was originally an occupational name 'the shearer' a cutter of cloth or denoting the occupation of shearing sheep. The name was derived from the Old English word 'sherer' which was in turn derived from the "Anglo-Saxon *Scíringas = (the Estate of the) Scír- Family [Old English scír, bright, white, brilliant + -ingas (dat. pl. -ingum)." 1

Early Origins of the Sherring family

The surname Sherring was first found in Essex at Sheering, a parish, in the union of Epping, hundred of Harlow where "the church is a small ancient edifice." 2

The place name dates back to about the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first recorded as Sceringa 3 and literally meant "settlement of the family or followers of a man called *Scear(a) from the Old English personal name + "-ingas." 4

Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the village and lands of Sheering, held by Peter de Vallognes, from Valognes, Manche in Normandy, a Norman noble who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. His father also held an old feoffment in Kent from the Avranches family.

Early rolls give us a glimpse of the many spelling in use over the years. Matilda le Scherheringe was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as holding lands in Lincolnshire. Richard le Schearere, was listed in County Yorkshire in 1300 and Johannes Wykir Shearinge and Oliver Searing were listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 5

The name was taken to Scotland at an early date and John Cissor was burgess of Dunfermline in 1316. William Scharing was the bailie of Berwick in 1324, and Johannes Scherar was baillie and burgess of Aberdeen in the year 1399. William Schering was proprietor of a tenemant in Dundee in 1427, and another William Sherar was burgess of Aberdeen in 1451. Ando Scherare was parishioner of Kinkell in 1473, and Johannes Scherare was archdeacon of Ross in 1503. A family of the name appeared in Strathblane early in the 17th century, and John Scharrar was 'watchman in ye castell' of Stirling in 1587. 6

Early History of the Sherring family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sherring research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1327 is included under the topic Early Sherring History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sherring Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Sheering, Shearing, Sherring, Sherrin, Sherryn and many more.

Early Notables of the Sherring family

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

Sherring migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sherring Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

James H Sherring, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 7
Sarah H Sherring, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 7

Sherring migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sherring Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Stephen Sherring, aged 17, a farm labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Sherring (post 1700) +

Matthew Atmore Sherring (1826-1880), English missionary to India, born at Halstead, Essex

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The STRATHEDEN 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Stratheden.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html