Surname Sharrock - Meaning and Origin
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Sharrock: What does the surname Sharrock mean?
The last name Sharrock is of English origin. It is derived from an Old English pre-7th century term "scear-roc," which means 'share stone' or 'ploughshare.' A ploughshare is the cutting or leading part of a plow, which cuts the ground making it easier for the other parts to effectively turn over the soil for farming.
The term is a combined form of "scear" meaning share and "roc" often taken as rock. Share stones were boundary markers, anchoring points or significant stones on the surface of a ploughed field. Thus, the name might have originally been a nickname for a farmer or someone who lived by a prominent stone used as a marker.
The name was first recorded in the late 13th century and has various spellings including Sharracks, Sherrock, Shearrock, and Sherricks among others. Over time, the name Sharrock has been seen predominantly in the regions of Lancashire and Yorkshire in England.
Order DNA origin analysisSharrock: Where does the name Sharrock come from?
The last name Sharrock is commonly found in many English speaking countries around the world today.
In the United States, the name appears to be most common across the southern states, particularly in Texas. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname was in 1623 in Sussex, England. Variations of the name appear to have spread from England to other nations over time, likely through emigration and immigration.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is most prevalent in Lancashire and Yorkshire, although there are sights of it elsewhere. In Australia, it is most common in New South Wales. In Canada, the most hefty concentration of Sharrock happens to be found in Ontario and Alberta.
The online Ancestry.com database highlights the presence of the surname in numerous locations around the world. It is also testament to how many of the early Sharrock’s were thought to have kept records of their family history and spread it across generations.
It is difficult to identify what the exact origins of the surname Sharrock are, although it may be derived from an Ancient Germanic name and could have happened over many years of population and genealogical movement. Whatever the story, it appears that this surname has traveled the world and is now a common name in many places.
Variations of the surname Sharrock
Sharrock is an English surname of French origin. It is thought to derive from the alternatively spelled surname, Cherrick, from the Old French name Charrier, meaning ‘wagoner’ or ‘carrier’. Sharrock is often found used as a given name, especially in Scotland.
Variants and spellings of the surname Sharrock include Charrock, Sharerck, Sharoc, Sherrick, Cherrick, Sarrock, Saricke, Sharock, Sharik and Churrik. A variety of double-barrelled surnames beginning with Sharrock are also commonly seen, such as Sharrock-Christopher and Sharrock-James.
The surname Sharrock is particularly common in Northern Ireland and Scotland. It is also somewhat common in the United States, especially in New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
There are many slightly different spellings of the surname Sharrock, all derived from the same French origin. Although many of these variants are uncommon today, variations of the Sharrock surname have been used for centuries, testifying to the common origin of the surname.
Famous people with the name Sharrock
- Max Sharrock: Actor and comedian from Winnipeg, Canada.
- Sonia Sharrock: British actress, writer and director.
- Jackson Sharrock- Australian drummer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer.
- Royce Sharrock: English footballer who played for clubs like Manchester City and Everton.
- Jim Sharrock: Australian actor who has appeared in several films and television series.
- Nick Sharrock: British rock guitarist and songwriter, son of Max Sharrock.
- Allan Sharrock: Former New Zealand cricketer.
- Jeremiah Sharrock: British astronomer, computer scientist and historian.
- Monique Sharrock: Canadian professional basketball player and coach.
- Tyler Sharrock: American sculptor and performance artist.