An ancient Strathclyde-Briton family from the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first to use the name Schearpe. They lived in
Peeblesshire. The name Schearpe is derived from the Old English
scearp meaning "sharp" or "keen."
Early Origins of the Schearpe family
The surname Schearpe was first found in
Peeblesshire, where they were one of the leading families on the Scottish/English border.
Early History of the Schearpe family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schearpe research.
Another 307 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1376, 1439, 1666, 1474, 1639, 1707, 1613, 1679, 1661, 1679, 1644, 1714, 1691, 1714, 1689, 1691, 1651, 1742, 1650, 1702, 1643, 1707, 1681 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Schearpe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Schearpe Spelling Variations
Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few
hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language.
Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Schearpe has been spelled Sharp, Sharpe, Scharpe, Scharp, Schearpe and many more.
Early Notables of the Schearpe family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the family at this time was James Sharp (1613-1679) Scottish Presbyterian minister, leader of the "Resolutioners," and later, Archbishop of St Andrews (1661-1679); John Sharp
(c. 1644-1714), English divine, Archbishop of York...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Schearpe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Schearpe family to Ireland
Some of the Schearpe family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 217 words (16 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Schearpe family to the New World and Oceana
For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American
War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Samuel Sharpe who settled in Virginia in 1610; Elizabeth Sharp with her husband who settled in Virginia in 1620 the same year as the "Mayflower".
The Schearpe 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: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath I hope.