Sherwen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the name Sherwen are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name 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 Sherwen family

The surname Sherwen 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 Sherwen family

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

Sherwen Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Sherwen has been spelled many different ways, including Sherwin, Sherwyn, Sherwins and others.

Early Notables of the Sherwen 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 Sherwen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sherwen family to Ireland

Some of the Sherwen 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.

Sherwen migration to Australia +

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

Sherwen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Harriet Sherwen, English convict who was convicted in Carlisle, Cumbria (Cumberland), England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duchess of Northumberland" on 25th November 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Sherwen (post 1700) +

Paul Sherwen (1956-2018), English professional racing cyclist and later a broadcaster on cycling
John Sherwen (1749-1826), English physician and archæologist, said to have been born in Cumberland and may have been related to the family of Curwen

Historic Events for the Sherwen family +

SS Atlantic

Mary Sherwen, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

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.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duchess-of-northumberland