Surname Sherrit - Meaning and Origin
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Sherrit: What does the surname Sherrit mean?
The last name Sherrit is of Scottish origin and is an Anglicization of the Gaelic surname MacGille Shearchair, which translates to “son of the servant of St. Searc.” St. Searc was an Irish saint from the Royal House of Ulster who is believed to have lived near the end of the 6th century.
The Sherrit surname is most commonly found in North West Scotland, particularly the area of Inverness-shire, where numerous records of the name have been discovered. The family is believed to be of ancient origin, and were landed gentry in the late 16th century, with members having served in the Scots Guard of King Henry VIII.
The most prominent wearer of the Sherrit name was Sir Archibald Daniel MacGille Shearchair, Baron of Glen Shearchair and 17th century Keeper of Loch Arkaig. He is remembered for his successful, but ultimately unsuccessful, defense of the citadel against the Government-led forces of King James VII during the Great Glen Rebellion in 1689.
Sherrit is also an alternative form of the Irish name Séarlait, which has the same root as Sherrit. The meaning of the Irish surname Séarlait is “small hawk.”
As is reflected in its origins, the last name Sherrit is associated with loyalty and strength of character.
Order DNA origin analysisSherrit: Where does the name Sherrit come from?
The surname Sherrit is of English and Scottish origin. It is today most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England’s West Midlands and Lancashire.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of William Sherritt, which was dated 1605 in the marriage license records of St. John The Baptist Church, Clerkenwell, London.
Sherrit is mainly derived from the personal name “Sherard” or “Sherrard”, which means one who is “excellence” or “worthy” - terminology from the Old English pre 7th century “s(c)ir” and “heard” - a derivative of the mastering hard work.
The Sherrit family name also remains popular in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee and California. Sherrits may have originally two brothers who came to colonial America during the late 1700s or early 1800s, and the surname spread throughout the country over time. Although the exact origin of the family name is uncertain, it is believed that it is of Scottish heritage.
In total, Sherrit is found in one hundred and twenty countries all over the world, with the most people bearing the name located in America, England, Scotland, Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and Wales. Today, the last name Sherrit is still a fairly common surname and more and more individuals are using it both in personal and professional settings.
Variations of the surname Sherrit
Sherrit is an uncommon surname, which is thought to be of British origin. It is most commonly spelled Sherrit, but other possible variants include Sherrett, Sherette, Sherretta, Sheretti, Sherriat, Sherritte, and Sharrit. All of these spellings derive from a similar root, though its precise etymology is unknown.
The surname Sherrit is thought to be anglicised variant of the Irish surname O’Sharraite, which is thought to have originated in County Donegal. The O'Sharraite family were once a prominent family in the region, but there is little historical information about them available today.
Some have also speculated that the surname Sherrit might have derived from the Scottish surname Sherratt, which has its roots in the same region of County Donegal. The surname Sherratt was most likely derived from the Gaelic phrase “An ster”, which means “of the sheep”, or “shepherd”.
Though relatively uncommon, the surname Sherrit can be found in records from the 16th century on. There are a few families that bear the surname Sherrit currently living in the United Kingdom, and there are even a few in the United States as well. All spellings of this surname are thought to originate from the same root.
Famous people with the name Sherrit
- Abigail Sheridan: actress and singer
- Gerard Sheridan: British actor
- Sir Robert Thomas Sherritt: Australian military officer
- Harry Sherritt: American baseball player
- Chris Sherritt: American actor and producer
- William Sherritt: American doctor and chronicler
- Kenneth Sherritt: Australian politician
- Alexander Sherritt: American football executive
- Jeffery Sherritt: American biologist
- Bernadette Sherritt: Australian author
- Noel Sherritt: Australian radio presenter
- Jean Sherritt: Canadian poet
- David Sherritt: Canadian producer and director
- Nicholas Sherritt: British actor
- Michael Sherritt: Canadian game designer
- Ryan Sherritt: American football player
- Tristan Sheridan: British actor
- Robert Shearit: American actor and producer
- Jack Sherritt: British rugby player