Shiriff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Shiriff

What does the name Shiriff mean?

The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name of Shiriff. The name had a practical origin since it came from when its initial bearer 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 Shiriff family

The surname Shiriff 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 Shiriff family

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

Shiriff Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Shiriff include Sheriff, Sherrif, Sherriff, Shirreffs, Sheriffs and many more.

Early Notables of the Shiriff family

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

Shiriff migration to Canada +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Shiriff or a variant listed above:

Shiriff Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Shiriff, who landed in Canada in 1831

The Shiriff 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.

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.