Sherrard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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England

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The name Sherrard belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their 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

Early Origins of the Sherrard family

The surname Sherrard 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

Early History of the Sherrard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sherrard 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 Sherrard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sherrard Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Sherrard include Sherard, Sherrard, Sherrat, Shirrard and others.

Early Notables of the Sherrard family

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 Sherrard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sherrard Ranking

In the United States, the name Sherrard is the 10,564^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Sherrard family to Ireland

Some of the Sherrard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
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.

Sherrard migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Sherrard were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Sherrard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Francis Sherrard, who settled in Virginia in 1732
Bernard Sherrard, who arrived in New England in 1769 along with Nathaniel and Robert

Sherrard migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sherrard Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. William Sherrard U.E. who settled in Midland District [Lennox & Addington], Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Loyal American Regiment 9

Sherrard Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Miss. Mary Sherrard, aged 5 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Rose" departing 19th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 1st July 1847 but she died on board 10
Mr. Oliver Sherrard, aged 25 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Emigrant" departing 11th August 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 3rd October 1847 but he died on board 10
Mr. Warthy Sherrard who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Emigrant" departing 11th August 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 3rd October 1847 but he died on board 10

Sherrard migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sherrard Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Sherrard, (b. 1854), aged 20, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Varuna" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th May 1874 11

Contemporary Notables of the name Sherrard (post 1700) +

Mike Sherrard (b. 1963), American football player
Philip Sherrard (1922-1995), British author, translator, and philosopher
Michael Sherrard, Judge, Recorder of the Crown Court
Valerie Sherrard, Canadian author
Derek Sherrard Hayden Jr. (1990-2023), American football cornerback
Joseph Sherrard Kearns (1907-1962), American actor, best known for his role as Mr. Wilson in the CBS television series Dennis the Menace (1959 to 1962) 12
Sherrard Clemens (1820-1881), American nineteenth century politician and lawyer

The Sherrard 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: Hostis honori invidia
Motto Translation: Envy is an enemy to honour.