Shurloch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Shurloch

When the Strongbownian's arrived in Ireland there was already a system for creating patronymic names in place. Therefore, the native population regarded many of the Anglo-Norman naming practices that these settlers were accustomed to as rather unusual. Despite their differences, the two different systems eventually merged together rather insidiously. The Strongbownians, when they arrived, displayed a preference for used nickname surnames. Two of the most prevalent forms were oath nicknames and imperative names. Oath names often carried blessings or were formed from habitual expressions. Imperative names, formed from a verb added to a noun or an adverb, metaphorically described the bearer's occupations. The nick name surname Shurloch is derived from a nickname for a short-haired person. However, at least one expert holds the alternative theory that the surname Shurloch denotes a fair-haired person. According to this theory, the name is derived from the words "scir," which means "bright," and "locc," which means "hair." The Gaelic form of the name Shurloch is Scurlóg.

Early Origins of the Shurloch family

Early History of the Shurloch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shurloch research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1595, 1612, 1641, 1646, 1678, 1689, 1691, 1707 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Shurloch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shurloch Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes and church officials spelt names simply the way they sounded, which explains the various name spelling variations of the name Shurloch that were encountered when researching that surname. The many spelling variations included: Sherlock, Scurlock, Scurlog, Shylock, Shyrlock, Sherlocke, Cherlock, Sharlock, Sharloch, Sherloch, Shyrloch, Charlock, Charloch, Sharlocke, Sharloche and many more.

Early Notables of the Shurloch family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was Paul Sherlock (1595-1646), an Irish Jesuit, born at or near Waterford; Richard Sherlock (1612-1689), an English divine, born at Oxton, a township in the Cheshire peninsula of Wirral...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shurloch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shurloch family

Irish immigration to North American began in the late 18th century as many Irish families desired to own their own land. This pattern of immigration grew slowly yet steadily until the 1840s. At that time, a failed crop and a growing population in Ireland resulted in the Great Potato Famine. Poverty, disease, and starvation ravaged the land. To ease their pain and suffering the Irish often looked upon North America as a solution: hundreds of thousands undertook the voyage. Their arrival meant the growth of industry and commerce for British North America and the United States. For the individual Irishman, it meant survival and hope, and the opportunity for work, freedom, and ownership of land. The early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Shurloch: John Sherlock settled in St. Christopher in 1635; he and his wife Elizabeth later settled in Virginia in the same year; John Sherlocke settled in Virginia in 1643.