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Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Sharrarde is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Cheshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages. "Our antiquaries agree that Schirrard, who was resident in England, and held great possessions in the counties of Cheshire and Lancashire, temp. William Conqueror, is lineal ancestor to the present Earl of Harborough." 1 2 Lord Sherard, Baron of Leitrim, was created in 1627 for Sir William Sherard, of Stapleford, Leicestershire. He was known as the Earl of Harborough in 1719.
The name could have been Norman in origin as two sources note the French influence. The first source notes that Godefridus Sirart was listed in Normandy (1180-1195) and that Adam Scirart was later found in Dorset in the 13th century. Hugh Scherhare was found in Rutland in 1267. 3
The second source claims the name that name was derived from the Old English word "scir" meaning "bright" and the French suffix "(h)ard." 4
The surname Sharrarde was first found in Cheshire at Thornton, where the family was first listed in the 13th century. William Sherard who died in 1304 appears to be the first listing of the surname. 5
Another source claims that William Shirard listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1298 as the oldest listing of the family. This latter source goes on to note that Richard Schirard was also found in Staffordshire in 1323. 4
Another branch of the family was found at Stapleford in Leicestershire. This was home to Sir William Sherard, Lord Sherard, Baron of Leitrim created in 1627. His son, Bennet Sherard (1675-1732) would become the 1st Earl of Harborough. The church at Stapleford "was erected in 1783, by Robert, fourth Earl of Harborough and contains some fine monuments to the Sherard family, among which is one by Rysbrach, in memory of Bennet, the first earl." 6
The Wills at Chester list: William Sherratt, of Moss Side, Manchester in 1588 and John Sherratt, of Church Lawton in 1604. 7
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sharrarde research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1304, 1588, 1621, 1623, 1640, 1659, 1660, 1666, 1670, 1675, 1680, 1695, 1700, 1728, 1732, 1738, 1750 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Sharrarde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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. Sharrarde has been spelled many different ways, including Sherard, Sherrard, Sherrat, Shirrard and others.
Notables of the family at this time include William Sherard, 1st Baron Sherard of Stapleford, Leicestershire (1588-1640); Bennet Sherard, 2nd Baron Sherard (1621-1700); Bennet Sherard, 3rd Baron Sherard (1675-1732); Bennet Sherard, 1st Earl of Harborough (1675-1732); Philip Sherard, 2nd Earl of Harborough (1680-1750); and Philip Sherard (1623-1695), an English soldier, landowner and...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sharrarde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Sharrardes to arrive in North America: Alfred Sherrat, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1860; Francis Sherrard settled in Virginia in 1732; Bernard Sherrard arrived in New England in 1769; along with Nathaniel and Robert..