| ![Show Contents]() Shirk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland Hundreds of years ago, the Gaelic name used by the Shirk family in Ireland was Ó Searcaigh, which is derived from the word "searcach," which means "loving." Early Origins of the Shirk familyThe surname Shirk was first found in Tyrone (Irish:Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, where they were established in ancient times. Early History of the Shirk familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shirk research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1578 is included under the topic Early Shirk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shirk Spelling VariationsThe recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Shirk revealed spelling variations, including Sharkey, O'Sharkey, Sharket, O'Serky, O'Sherkott, Sherkott, O'Sergoid and many more. Early Notables of the Shirk familyMore information is included under the topic Early Shirk Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shirk RankingIn the United States, the name Shirk is the 6,784th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1
 Shirk migration to the United States | + |
A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Shirk name:
Shirk Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- J. Shirk, aged 39, who settled in America, in 1892
- S. M. Shirk, who landed in America, in 1892
- C. H. Shirk, aged 40, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
- E. W. Shirk, aged 38, who settled in America from Liverpool, in 1897
- Mrs. E. W. Shirk, aged 36, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1897
Shirk Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Elbert-Wright Shirk, who landed in America, in 1904
- William Wright Shirk, who settled in America, in 1905
- David F. Shirk, aged 47, who landed in America, in 1906
- Nannie R. Shirk, aged 60, who immigrated to America, in 1906
- Miss Georgina H Shirk, aged 40, who immigrated to the United States, in 1906
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Shirk migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Shirk Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century- Vera D. Shirk, aged 20, who immigrated to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, in 1913
- Ethel Shirk, aged 26, who immigrated to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, in 1914
| Contemporary Notables of the name Shirk (post 1700) | + |
- Matthew Aaron Shirk (b. 1973), American lawyer currently serving as Public Defender for Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit
- Kenneth Ivan "Ken" Shirk, American ultramarathon runner
- John Francis Shirk (1917-1993), American NFL football end/defensive end for the Chicago Cardinals
- James W. Shirk (1832-1873), United States Navy officer during the American Civil War, eponym of the USS Shirk (DD-318)
- Henry Shirk (1913-1977), American lawyer, historian, and Mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Gary Lee Shirk (b. 1950), former professional American NFL football tight end for the New York Giants
- Bill Shirk (b. 1945), American escape artist, radio personality, broadcast entrepreneur
- Amos Urban Shirk (1890-1956), American businessman and author
- Susan L. Shirk, American expert on Chinese politics, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
- George H. Shirk, American politician, Mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1964-67 2
- ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Redit expectata diu
Motto Translation: The expected returns for a long time
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Shirk migration to the United States 
Shirk migration to Canada 
