Sharrow

The surname Sharrow has its origins in England, believed to have emerged in the 16th century. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from the town of Sharrow, located in the historic county of Yorkshire. The name itself is believed to have evolved from the Old English words "scearu" meaning a gap or notch, and "hoh" meaning a ridge or hill.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Sharrow can be traced back to the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a Richard de Sharrow is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the late 14th century.

In the 16th century, the Sharrow family was prominent in the village of Sharrow, with records indicating that they held land and property there. One notable figure from this period was William Sharrow, a yeoman farmer who lived in the late 1500s.

The surname Sharrow also appears in the parish records of several Yorkshire villages, including Ecclesfield, Rotherham, and Sheffield. This indicates that the name had spread across the region by the 17th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname outside of Yorkshire is found in the records of St. Clement Danes parish in London, where a John Sharrow was christened in 1639.

In the 18th century, the name Sharrow continued to be associated with Yorkshire. A notable figure from this period was Joseph Sharrow, born in 1721, who was a prominent landowner and farmer in the village of Sharrow.

As the Industrial Revolution took hold in the 19th century, many Sharrows migrated from rural areas to urban centers in search of employment. This led to the name becoming more widely dispersed across England and beyond.

Other notable individuals with the surname Sharrow include:

1. Thomas Sharrow (1790-1867), an English entrepreneur and industrialist who founded the Sharrow Steel Works in Sheffield. 2. Elizabeth Sharrow (1832-1912), a British philanthropist and social reformer, known for her work in improving conditions for factory workers. 3. Henry Sharrow (1856-1932), an English cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club. 4. Josephine Sharrow (1878-1948), an American author and poet, known for her works celebrating the natural beauty of the American West. 5. Robert Sharrow (1905-1988), a British architect and urban planner, instrumental in the reconstruction of London after World War II.

While the surname Sharrow continues to be found across various parts of the world, its roots can be firmly traced back to the historic county of Yorkshire in England, where it emerged as a locational name associated with the village of Sharrow.