Show ContentsShirreffs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Shirreffs is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who 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 Shirreffs family

The surname Shirreffs 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 Shirreffs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shirreffs research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1567 is included under the topic Early Shirreffs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shirreffs Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Shirreffs are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Shirreffs include Sheriff, Sherrif, Sherriff, Shirreffs, Sheriffs and many more.

Early Notables of the Shirreffs family

More information is included under the topic Early Shirreffs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shirreffs family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Shirreffs or a variant listed above: Richard Sherife, who came to Virginia in 1619; Lewis and Peter Sherive, who settled in Nevis in 1663; William Sheriff, who settled in Boston in 1716; Thomas Sheriffs, who settled in Virginia in 1649.


Contemporary Notables of the name Shirreffs (post 1700) +

  • Steve Shirreffs (b. 1976), American NHL ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames in 1995
  • John Shirreffs (b. 1945), American racehorse trainer with over 453 wins
  • Gordon D. Shirreffs (1914-1996), American writer of western and juvenile novels
  • John Shirreffs, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1908 [2]


The Shirreffs Motto +

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.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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