| ![Show Contents]() Shirra History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England Shirra is an old Anglo-Saxon name that was given to a person who was 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 Shirra familyThe surname Shirra 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 Shirra familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shirra research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1567 is included under the topic Early Shirra History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shirra Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Shirra has been recorded under many different variations, including Sheriff, Sherrif, Sherriff, Shirreffs, Sheriffs and many more. Early Notables of the Shirra familyMore information is included under the topic Early Shirra Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Shirra migration to the United States | + |
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Shirra or a variant listed above:
Shirra Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Charles Shirra, aged 39, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1907
- Edith Mercedes Shirra, aged 1, who landed in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1907
- Mrs. Charles Shirra, aged 34, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1907
- William I. D. Shirra, aged 27, who landed in America from Hamilton, Scotland, in 1909
- Jennie Shirra, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1910
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Shirra migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Shirra Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century- James Shirra, aged 35, who immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in 1916
| Contemporary Notables of the name Shirra (post 1700) | + |
- Jim Shirra (b. 1950), Scottish professional footballer
- Mitchell Owen "Mitch" Shirra (b. 1958), New Zealand former motorcycle speedway rider from Auckland
- Shirra Kenworthy (b. 1943), Canadian bronze medalist figure skater at the 1963 North American Championships
- Shirra Kenworthy (b. 1943), Canadian Olympic figure skater
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.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
|
Shirra migration to the United States 
Shirra migration to Canada 
