Surname Sherard - Meaning and Origin
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Sherard: What does the surname Sherard mean?
The surname Sherard is of Anglo-Saxon origin from pre 7th-century. It's derived from the Old English elements "scir," meaning bright or clear, and "heard," denoting hardy, brave, or strong. Therefore, Sherard can be interpreted as 'Bright Hardy' or 'Bright Brave' or 'Strong and Clear'. This surname first appeared in Lincolnshire, England. The earliest records of the Sherard name can be traced back to a knightly family in the 12th century. The surname Sherard may have originally been a nickname referring to the character traits of a person before evolving into a hereditary surname. As with many surnames, the spelling has evolved over time and variants of Sherard include Sherwood, Sherratt, and others. Today, it is shared by individuals worldwide. As with all surnames, each family with the Sherard surname has its own family history and genealogical line, which might incorporate numerous countries, stories, and people.
Order DNA origin analysisSherard: Where does the name Sherard come from?
The last name Sherard is most common in the United Kingdom. Specifically, Sherard is highly concentrated in the English counties of Devon, Cornwall, and Gloucestershire. It is also found in other parts of the British Isles, including the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, and Northern Ireland. Beyond the UK, the most common areas with the last name Sherard are Western Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The original spelling of Sherard was spelled Shararde. This is believed to be derived from an Old English name meaning ‘bright jurisdiction’ or ‘royal court’. The origin of this lineage is predominantly from the Anglo-Saxon people, who arrived in Britain after invading the island during the 5th century AD. By the 12th century the name was found in Wiltshire, England, before eventually evolving to the current surname of Sherard.
Today, the last name Sherard is connected with many notable individuals in history, including the early 20th century British MP and novelist James Sherard, British statesman Henry Sherard, and noted 19th century zoologist William Bowdler Sherard.
Variations of the surname Sherard
Sherard is an English surname, derived from the Norman-French name Cherarde, which is itself derived from the Latin charardus, meaning 'courageous.' The variants, spellings and surnames related to this include:
Sherard
Sherrard
Sherwood
Shearer
Sherwood
Sherratt
Sherris
Shearman
Sherrington
Sherrett
Sherrod
Sherritt
Sherred
Sherill
Sharett
Cherrett
Charett
Cherrard
Cherratt
Cherrett
Cherry
Cherres
Cherris
Cherratty
Cherrod
Cherreron
Shirer
Sharer
Sharrod
Sharret
Sharratt
Sharrill
Shearerton
Sharewood
Sharee
Sherrad
Sherraden
Sherradine
Sherradeen
Sherraden
Sherradine
Sherrade
Sherradine
Sherradon
Shererd
Sherran
Sherren
Sherret
Sherride
Sherrill
Sherrillen
Sherrord
Sherron
Sherrong
Sherrongen
Sherrod
Sherroden
Sherrodine
The surname Sherard is believed to have originated in Scotland, but can be found throughout the English-speaking world. The name has been particularly prominent in Ireland, especially in the counties of Down, Antrim, and Armagh. It is also found in the US and Canada.
Famous people with the name Sherard
- Robert Sherard: Robert Henderson Sherard (1861-1943) was an English author, journalist, and literary adviser. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1913 for his work in France and was a close friend of the celebrated novelist Oscar Wilde.
- Austin Sherard: Austin Sherard (1893-1968) was an American boy-scout leader and conservationist, best known as the founder of the world's first youth camp.
- Bertram Sherard: Bertram Sherard (1877-1956) was an English actor and comic singer, best remembered for his popular music-hall songs.
- Sebastian Sherard: Sebastian Sherard (1901-1960) was an American tenor, known for his roles in the Broadway musicals of the 1930s and 40s.
- Donald Sherard: Donald Sherard (1913-1998) was a British radio presenter, singer, and actor, best known for being one of the original ‘BBC Home Service announcers’.
- Lenard Sherard: Lenard Sherard (1893-1966) was an American football running back and coach, who coached the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team in 1925.
- Sonny Sherard: Sonny Sherard (1913-1997) was an American blues singer and harmonica player, widely regarded as a master of the harmonica.
- Nikola Sherard: Nikola Sherard (1988- present) is a British portrait and landscape painter, best known for her large-scale contemporary works.