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![Show Contents]() Sherrif History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The many generations and branches of the Sherrif family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member 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 Sherrif familyThe surname Sherrif 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 Sherrif familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sherrif research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1567 is included under the topic Early Sherrif History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sherrif Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Sherrif were recorded, including Sheriff, Sherrif, Sherriff, Shirreffs, Sheriffs and many more. Early Notables of the Sherrif familyMore information is included under the topic Early Sherrif Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Sherrif migration to the United States | + |
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Sherrif family emigrate to North America:
Sherrif Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Alexander Sherrif, who arrived in Maryland in 1664 2
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.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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Sherrif migration to the United States 
