UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname derived from the Old French "serrer", meaning to lock or secure.
In the 1881 census there were 58 people recorded with the Sherren surname, ranking it #25,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 59, ranked #34,401, down from #25,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Melcombe Regis. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sherren is 104 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.7%.
1881 census count
58
Ranked #25,428
Modern count
59
2016, ranked #34,401
Peak year
1911
104 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sherren surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sherren surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 45 | #25,168 |
| 1861 | historical | 51 | #27,498 |
| 1881 | historical | 58 | #25,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 82 | #26,494 |
| 1901 | historical | 87 | #24,386 |
| 1911 | historical | 104 | #22,209 |
| 1997 | modern | 71 | #30,521 |
| 1998 | modern | 71 | #30,869 |
| 1999 | modern | 73 | #30,856 |
| 2000 | modern | 72 | #30,977 |
| 2001 | modern | 73 | #30,699 |
| 2002 | modern | 74 | #31,048 |
| 2003 | modern | 69 | #31,587 |
| 2004 | modern | 69 | #31,784 |
| 2005 | modern | 62 | #32,708 |
| 2006 | modern | 57 | #33,513 |
| 2007 | modern | 64 | #33,145 |
| 2008 | modern | 64 | #33,402 |
| 2009 | modern | 67 | #33,450 |
| 2010 | modern | 70 | #33,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 64 | #34,028 |
| 2013 | modern | 66 | #34,003 |
| 2014 | modern | 65 | #34,082 |
| 2015 | modern | 60 | #34,361 |
| 2016 | modern | 59 | #34,401 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Melcombe Regis and Winterbourne Kingston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Harrow-on-the-Hill | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | Melcombe Regis | Dorset |
| 5 | Winterbourne Kingston | Dorset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sherren surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sherren, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Sherren surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sherren household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Sherren is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sherren is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sherren, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SHERREN is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "scir," meaning "bright" or "shining," combined with the suffix "-en," denoting a person or place. This suggests that the name may have been initially used to describe someone with a radiant or luminous appearance.
The earliest documented instances of the SHERREN surname can be found in various historical records from the late 13th and early 14th centuries. One notable mention is in the Hundred Rolls of Gloucestershire, a tax assessment from 1275, which lists a certain Robert Schiren as a landowner in the area.
During the 14th century, the name appears in various spellings, such as Shiren, Shyrene, and Sherryn, reflecting the diverse regional dialects and scribal variations of the time. The surname's connection to specific places is also evident, as records from the 15th century mention individuals from localities like Sherren in Wiltshire and Sherryngton in Buckinghamshire.
Notable figures throughout history who bore the SHERREN surname include:
1. William Sherren (c. 1555-1621), an English composer and organist who served as the Master of the Choristers at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
2. John Sherren (c. 1630-1689), an English clergyman and theologian who authored several influential works on religious doctrine and ethics.
3. Elizabeth Sherren (1658-1728), a prominent English philanthropist and benefactor, known for her charitable contributions to educational institutions and support for the underprivileged.
4. Thomas Sherren (1770-1843), a British military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the prestigious Order of the Bath for his distinguished service.
5. William Sherren (1835-1912), a renowned English architect and urban planner responsible for designing several notable buildings and parks in London and other parts of England.
While the SHERREN surname may not be as widely recognized as some other English names, its historical roots and diverse representations across various professions and eras underscore its enduring legacy as a distinctive British surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sherren surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Dorset leads with 26 Sherrens recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.04x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dorset | 26 | 70.04x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.94x |
| Hampshire | 7 | 6.04x |
| Surrey | 6 | 2.18x |
| Kent | 4 | 2.07x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.45x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 2.57x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Winterborne Kingston in Dorset leads with 13 Sherrens recorded in 1881 and an index of 13000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Winterborne Kingston | 13 | 13000.00x |
| Kensington London | 7 | 22.26x |
| Lambeth | 6 | 12.17x |
| Dorchester Holy Trinity | 5 | 1666.67x |
| Melcombe Regis | 5 | 324.68x |
| Plumstead | 4 | 62.21x |
| Portsea | 4 | 17.61x |
| Lancaster | 3 | 75.19x |
| Hackney London | 2 | 6.31x |
| Millbrook | 2 | 68.49x |
| Puddletrenthide | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Abbots Langley | 1 | 172.41x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.82x |
| St George In East | 1 | 25.97x |
| Stinsford | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Yateley | 1 | 454.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sherren surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Sherren surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Sherren households.
FAQ
In 1881, 58 people were recorded with the Sherren surname. That placed it at #25,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 59 in 2016. That gives Sherren a modern rank of #34,401.
A variant spelling of the English surname derived from the Old French "serrer", meaning to lock or secure.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sherren bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.