Shires History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Shiress were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Shires Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Jane Shires, who arrived in New York in 1845 8
• Sarah Shires, who landed in New York in 1862 8
• William Shires, aged 37, who landed in New York in 1862 8
• Alfred Shires, aged 6, who arrived in New York in 1862 8
• Benj Shires, aged 15, who landed in New York in 1862 8
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Shires Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Margaret Shires, aged 17, a domestic servant, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Buffalo" in 1836 9
• Mr. Abraham Shires, English convict who was convicted in Knaresboro, Yorkshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 25th January 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 10
• Miss Ann Shires, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth and Henry" on 14th September 1846, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
• Mr. Charles Shires, English convict who was convicted in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England for 8 years, transported aboard the "Clara" on 28th January 1864, arriving in Western Australia, Australia 12

• Dana L. Shires Jr. (b. 1932), American physician, research scientist, and inventor; member of the research team that led to the invention of Gatorade
• Charles Arthur "Art" Shires (1906-1967), American Major League Baseball player who played from 1928 through 1932
• Amanda Shires (b. 1982), American singer-songwriter and violin player
• George Thomas "Tom" Shires (1925-2007), American trauma surgeon; he operated on John Connally and Lee Harvey Oswald after the assassination of John F. Kennedy
• Corbin Shires (b. 1997), English footballer
• Ben Shires, British television presenter
• James Arthur "Jim" Shires (b. 1945), Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played from 1965 to 1975