Surname Sherburne - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Sherburne: What does the surname Sherburne mean?
The last name Sherburne is of English origin, likely derived from the name of a place in England. It is thought that the name Sherburne is derived from the Old English words "scyr" and "burna," meaning "bright stream." This likely references a region in England near a bright, moving body of water, such as a river or brook.
The Sherburnes have an interesting lineage dating back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name was used to describe a region of England near the village of Burne or Brun. This area is now known as Burneside and is situated in the Cumbria region of northwest England.
The Sherburne family was prominent in early English history, and several Sherburnes held high rank in the court of Henry II. They also served as knights of the shire, meaning that they served as local representatives. Through marriage and inheritance, the family acquired great wealth.
Throughout its history, the Sherburne name has continued to represent power, prestige, and wealth. Today, it is still considered an honor to be a member of the Sherburne family and many Sherburnes have gone on to achieve great things. The name is seen as a reminder to present and future generations of the importance of connection to one's roots and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSherburne: Where does the name Sherburne come from?
The last name Sherburne is believed to have originated from the British Isles and is still commonly found in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
The exact origins of the name remain uncertain, but it is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'scirburn' which roughly translates to bright stream. This is thought to have been a place-name given to locations that had a clear or bright stream near them.
Today, Sherburne is most commonly found throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it is especially prevalent in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio. In Canada, it is found in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Interestingly, the Sherburne family tree includes a number of notable members. Founding father signatures of the Declaration of Independence were William Ellery and William Paca, both of whom were descendants of the Sherburne bloodline. Additionally, the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, had a maternal grandmother who was a Sherburne.
Ultimately, the usage of the surname Sherburne has certainly stood the test of time and is still found in many parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname Sherburne
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sherburne have changed and adapted over time. The basic surname, Sherburne, is derived from the Old English personal name Scirburne, which means “clear stream”.
Specific variants of Sherburne include Sherborne, Shyrburn, Scheburne and Sherburn. The Irish surname Sherburne is sometimes found as Ó Scairbhín, with derivatives including Carney, Carney, Kearney, Kerney, Sharvin and Sharving.
In Scotland, the surname is associated with Clan Sherbourne of the MacFarlane family, one of the oldest and most powerful clans in the Scottish Highlands. The spelling of the clan name has also changed over time, from Sherbourne to Sherburne and Shirburne.
In the United States, the variants of the surname Sherburne became further standardized over time. Spellings that are still commonly seen today include: Sherburn, Sherbourne, Sherbon, Sherburne and Sherbourn. The surname is also sometimes seen spelled as Shurburn.
The surname is still quite popular around the world due to its long history, though exact numbers are not known and vary from location to location. The spelling and variants of the surname Sherburne are sure to evolve further as time goes on.
Famous people with the name Sherburne
- John Sherburne: an American Revolutionary War soldier and bounty land applicant, principal source of evidence of the Battle of Brier Creek
- Leonard Sherburne: a selectman, clerk and treasurer for the town of Pownal, Maine, during the 18th century
- Alexander Sherburne: 17th century lawyer and politician of colonial Massachusetts
- Amos Sherburne: an American Revolutionary War soldier from Dutchess County, New York
- Ruth Sherburne: American author, best known for her childrens book series “Historical Mysteries”
- Thomas P. Sherburne: a United States Army general who served in the Civil War
- John M. Sherburne: an American folk artist from Massachusetts, best known for his naive paintings
- Ephraim Sherburne: founding pastor of the First Congregational Church in 18th century Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Anne Martha Sherburne: an American colonial teacher and author
- Samuel Sherburne: a colonial minister and member of the clergy