Shearing History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Shearing 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 Shearing familyThe surname Shearing 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 Shearing familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shearing research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1327 is included under the topic Early Shearing History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shearing Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Shearing were recorded, including Sheering, Shearing, Sherring, Sherrin, Sherryn and many more. Early Notables of the Shearing familyMore information is included under the topic Early Shearing Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Shearing arrived in North America very early: Shearing Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Shearing Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Shearing Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
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