Shreeve History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name of Shreeve. The name had a practical origin since it came from when its initial bearer worked as a person who held the office of sheriff. This occupational surname was originally derived from the Old English words scir meaning shire and refa meaning reeve. The surname was originally derived from the "shire-reeve," a Vice Count who was in charge of the law for a shire or county. 1 Before the Norman Conquest the sheriff was the king's representative in a county, responsible for every aspect of local administration in England.

Early Origins of the Shreeve family

The surname Shreeve was first found in Warwickshire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Shreeve family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shreeve research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1567 is included under the topic Early Shreeve History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shreeve Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Shreeve include Sheriff, Sherrif, Sherriff, Shirreffs, Sheriffs and many more.

Early Notables of the Shreeve family

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

Shreeve migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Shreeve or a variant listed above:

Shreeve Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Benjamin Shreeve, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
John Shreeve, aged 23, who immigrated to America, in 1896

Shreeve Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Robert Shreeve, aged 25, who landed in America from Norwich, England, in 1909
Emma Shreeve, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1910
Jane Shreeve, aged 61, who landed in America from Cefu Coed, Wales, in 1912
Harry James Shreeve, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from Coventry, England, in 1923
Margaret Shreeve, aged 28, who landed in America from Coventry, England, in 1923
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shreeve migration to Australia +

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

Shreeve Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Noah Shreeve (aged 35), a gardener, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Eliza"
Henry Noah Shreeve (aged 14), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Eliza"

Contemporary Notables of the name Shreeve (post 1700) +

Frederick D. "Fred" Shreeve (b. 1882), English footballer
Jack Shreeve, English professional football fullback in the 1930s through the 1950s
Mark Shreeve (1957-2022), British electronic music composer born in Great Yarmouth, who released the albums Assassin, Legion, and Crash Head
David Herbert Shreeve (1934-1984), British Archdeacon of Bradford (1984 to 1999)
Allison Shreeve (b. 1982), Australian Formula World Windsurfing Champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007

The Shreeve Motto +

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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.