Show ContentsSheeren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Sheeren Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Sheeren

What does the name Sheeren mean?

Sheeren is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Sheeren comes from the Norman name Essira which is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. 1 2 Additionally, the name is derived from the Old English "scir", meaning "fair, bright." 3 4

Early Origins of the Sheeren family

The surname Sheeren was first found in Surrey where they held a family seat from ancient times being Lords of the Manor of Shere recorded in the Domesday Book Survey taken in 1086 A.D. as being 'King's Land' and consisting of a church and mills. 5

The original name of the village of Shere was 'Essira' and it may be taken that this was also the original spelling of the surname, taken from an unknown Norman noble who entered into England with William the Conqueror in 1066.

However, we must look to Berkshire to find the first entry of the family, that of Walter Leschir who was listed there in the Pipe Rolls of 1193. Later, Reginald le Scher was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1327. 6

The Sherren and Sherring variants are believed to have originated in Devon, Dorset or Gloucestershire. 7

Early History of the Sheeren family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sheeren research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1614, 1666, 1668, 1685, 1710, 1716, 1766 and 1798 are included under the topic Early Sheeren History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sheeren Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Shere, Sheres, Shear, Shears, Sheares, Sheare, Sheares, Sheer, Sheers, Sheere, Sheeres, Shire, Shires, Shiers, Shier, Shiere, Sheir, Sheirs, Sheire, Sheires, Sherren, Sherring and many more.

Early Notables of the Sheeren family

Sir Henry Sheeres (died 1710), English military engineer and author, was son of Henry Sheeres of Deptford, a captain in the Navy. "In 1666 he accompanied Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich, the English ambassador, to Spain in a diplomatic capacity. On his return in...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sheeren Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sheeren family to Ireland

Some of the Sheeren family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sheeren migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Sheeren or a variant listed above:

Sheeren Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Patrk Sheeren, aged 22, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Universe" in 1851 8
  • John Sheeren, aged 28, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1860 9
  • Mary Sheeren, aged 19, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "William F Clmh" in 1866 9
  • Ellen Sheeren, aged 58, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Holland" in 1872 9
  • Jas Sheeren, aged 28, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "City of Brussels" in 1873 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sheeren Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mary Sheeren, aged 38, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Furnessia" in 1904 9
  • Sarah Sheeren, aged 40, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Furnessia" in 1904 9
  • Thomas Sheeren, aged 46, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oceanic" in 1904 9
  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  8. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-rsult
  9. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result

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