Chairwan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The history of the name Chairwan begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Sherwin. 1 Alternatively the name could have been from the Old English word Scirwine (bright, friend); a nickname for a fast runner, "shear wind." 2

Early Origins of the Chairwan family

The surname Chairwan was first found in Nottinghamshire at Bramcote, a parish, in the union of Shardlow, S. division of the wapentake of Broxtow. 3 However, we must look to Oxfordshire to find the earliest listings as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: John Surewyne; and William Surewyne as both residing there at that time. 1

But it is Nottinghamshire that the lion's share of the family claim descent. "Sherwin was a well known name in Nottingham two centuries ago. Between 1623 and 1716, five mayors of that town bore this name." 4

Early History of the Chairwan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chairwan research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1581, 1607, 1645, 1687 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Chairwan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chairwan Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Chairwan has been recorded under many different variations, including Sherwin, Sherwyn, Sherwins and others.

Early Notables of the Chairwan family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Saint Ralph Sherwin (1550-1581) was an English Roman Catholic priest born at Radesley, near Langford, Derbyshire who was charged with having conspired to procure the queen's deposition and death, and to promote rebellion at home and invasion of the...
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chairwan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chairwan family to Ireland

Some of the Chairwan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chairwan family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Chairwan or a variant listed above: John Sherwin who arrived in New England in 1679; John Sherwin arrived in New York in 1820; John, Thomas and William Sherwin, all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1870..

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.