NameCensus.

UK surname

Sherrin

An English surname derived from a medieval nickname referring to a small, slender person.

In the 1881 census there were 229 people recorded with the Sherrin surname, ranking it #11,784 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 176, ranked #21,298, down from #11,784 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Richmond. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Somerset, Christchurch and Reigate and Banstead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sherrin is 238 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 23.1%.

1881 census count

229

Ranked #11,784

Modern count

176

2016, ranked #21,298

Peak year

1851

238 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sherrin had 229 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,784 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016, ranked #21,298.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 238 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Sherrin surname distribution map

The map shows where the Sherrin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Sherrin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sherrin over time

The 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 238 #9,120
1861 historical 128 #17,375
1881 historical 229 #11,784
1891 historical 232 #13,429
1901 historical 234 #13,705
1911 historical 236 #13,452
1997 modern 185 #18,506
1998 modern 195 #18,397
1999 modern 180 #19,454
2000 modern 172 #19,974
2001 modern 172 #19,696
2002 modern 158 #21,178
2003 modern 161 #20,697
2004 modern 158 #21,077
2005 modern 160 #20,899
2006 modern 161 #20,972
2007 modern 159 #21,387
2008 modern 159 #21,598
2009 modern 176 #20,632
2010 modern 176 #21,101
2011 modern 181 #20,579
2012 modern 174 #21,065
2013 modern 175 #21,320
2014 modern 185 #20,739
2015 modern 185 #20,641
2016 modern 176 #21,298

Geography

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Where Sherrins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Richmond and Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Somerset, Christchurch, Reigate and Banstead, Mendip and The Vale of Glamorgan. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Richmond Surrey
4 London parishes London 3
5 Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Somerset 003 West Somerset
2 Christchurch 006 Christchurch
3 Reigate and Banstead 018 Reigate and Banstead
4 Mendip 001 Mendip
5 The Vale of Glamorgan 012 Vale of Glamorgan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sherrin

These lists show first names that appear often with the Sherrin surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sherrin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sherrin, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Sherrin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Sherrin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Sherrin is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sherrin is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sherrin falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sherrin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Sherrin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Sherrin

The surname SHERRIN is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word "scir," meaning "bright" or "shining," possibly referring to a person with a bright complexion or radiant personality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname SHERRIN can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landowners and tenants in England after the Norman Conquest. The name appeared in various spellings, such as "Scherin" and "Sherin."

In the 13th century, the surname was documented in various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Records from this period show variations in spelling, including "Sheryn" and "Sherryn."

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the SHERRIN name continued to appear in records across England, particularly in the counties of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire. Variations in spelling persisted, with forms like "Sheryne" and "Sheryne" found in historical documents.

One notable figure bearing the SHERRIN surname was Sir John Sherrin, a 16th-century English nobleman and landowner from Lincolnshire. He was born in 1525 and served as a member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent individual was Richard Sherrin, born in 1612 in Nottinghamshire. He was a respected clergyman and author, known for his theological writings and sermons published in the 17th century.

In the 18th century, the SHERRIN name was associated with several notable individuals, including William Sherrin (1703-1776), a successful merchant and philanthropist from Yorkshire, and Elizabeth Sherrin (1725-1803), a renowned author and poet from Derbyshire.

The 19th century saw the SHERRIN surname spread further across the British Isles and beyond, as migration and exploration increased. One notable figure was Captain James Sherrin (1815-1887), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Crimean War and later served as a colonial administrator in Australia.

Throughout its history, the SHERRIN surname has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and clergymen to merchants and military personnel, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sherrin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sherrin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 42 Sherrins recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.94x.

County Total Index
Somerset 42 11.94x
Middlesex 39 1.78x
Surrey 31 2.91x
Kent 14 1.88x
Glamorgan 12 3.15x
Dorset 8 5.58x
Essex 8 1.85x
Gloucestershire 8 1.87x
Hampshire 8 1.79x
Cardiganshire 7 13.13x
Pembrokeshire 6 8.64x
Westmorland 6 12.49x
Cambridgeshire 5 3.61x
Staffordshire 5 0.68x
Wiltshire 4 2.07x
Caernarfonshire 3 3.40x
Leicestershire 3 1.24x
Cornwall 2 0.81x
Derbyshire 2 0.58x
Lanarkshire 2 0.28x
Lancashire 2 0.08x
Monmouthshire 2 1.27x
Warwickshire 2 0.36x
Devon 1 0.22x
Shropshire 1 0.53x
Yorkshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. High Ham in Somerset leads with 20 Sherrins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2380.95x.

Place Total Index
High Ham 20 2380.95x
Aller 12 3428.57x
Hammersmith London 10 18.58x
Chelmsford 8 108.11x
Ramsgate 8 65.74x
Richmond 8 53.62x
Bristol St George 7 35.32x
Cilcennin 7 1842.11x
Newington 7 8.67x
Swansea Town 7 22.44x
Kirkland 6 588.24x
Mile End Old Town 6 17.40x
Pembroke St Michael 6 594.06x
Bermondsey 5 7.69x
Islington London 5 2.36x
Pampisford 5 1923.08x
St Marylebone London 5 4.29x
Wolverhampton 5 8.82x
Bethnal Green London 4 4.21x
Froxfield 4 1212.12x
Lambeth 4 2.10x
Northfleet 4 60.88x
Sherborne 4 94.79x
Bangor 3 35.21x
Bedminster 3 9.08x
Farnborough 3 63.83x
St Pancras London 3 1.71x
Ab Kettleby 2 1176.47x
Ash Normandy 2 137.93x
Cardiff St John 2 16.09x
Derby St Peter 2 18.35x
Foleshill 2 34.48x
Liskeard 2 48.31x
Shapwick 2 606.06x
Shoreditch London 2 2.11x
St John Near Swansea 2 42.55x
St Woollos 2 11.34x
Wembdon 2 192.31x
Wimborne 2 114.94x
Barony 1 0.56x
Basingstoke 1 19.42x
Bristol St Paul In 1 8.76x
Bruton 1 72.46x
Camberwell 1 0.72x
Castleford 1 12.69x
Chatham 1 4.88x
Clapham 1 3.66x
Croydon 1 1.69x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.74x
Farnham 1 12.08x
Finchley 1 11.93x
Govan 1 0.57x
Huish Episcopi 1 200.00x
Kensington London 1 0.82x
Leicester St Mary 1 5.11x
Liverpool 1 0.64x
Pilton 1 119.05x
Portsea 1 1.14x
Roath 1 5.79x
Ryde 1 10.40x
Selattyn 1 116.28x
Southampton Holy Rood 1 222.22x
Southampton St Mary 1 3.55x
Stoke Damerel 1 3.14x
Sutton 1 12.99x
Upper Lower 1 588.24x
Westminster St 1 12.42x
Westminster St James 1 4.45x
Winterborne Kingston 1 256.41x
Wootton Glanville 1 555.56x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sherrin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Sherrin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 13
Thomas 11
James 9
Henry 7
Joseph 7
William 6
Edward 4
Albert 3
Frank 3
George 3
Philip 3
Robert 3
Adam 2
Alfred 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Tom 2
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Caleb 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Llewellyn 1
Luke 1
Mark 1
Peter 1
Stowell 1
Thos.H. 1
Willm.B. 1

FAQ

Sherrin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sherrin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 229 people were recorded with the Sherrin surname. That placed it at #11,784 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sherrin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 176 in 2016. That gives Sherrin a modern rank of #21,298.

What does the Sherrin surname mean?

An English surname derived from a medieval nickname referring to a small, slender person.

What does the Sherrin map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sherrin bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.