Surname Sherra - Meaning and Origin
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Sherra: What does the surname Sherra mean?
The surname Sherra is an anglicised version of the Irish Gaelic name O’Shearra, which is derived from the Gaelic word ‘siorraim’ meaning ‘strength’ and ‘courage’. It is believed that the name originated in Ireland, likely from County Mayo, before travelling to Scotland, Northern England and other parts of the United Kingdom.
Early records suggest that the family is traceable as far back as the 14th Century, with multiple branches of the family located across Great Britain and Ireland. Over the centuries, the family has been associated with numerous roles, including military and religious figures.
The family name is also associated with various notable people throughout history, including the first Lord High Sherra of Ireland (Sir William Sherrant, 1213), British Army Major Thomas Sherra and clergyman Edward Sherra (born 1793).
The Sherra family has a long and rich history, representing strength, courage and a dedication to protecting their communities, many of which are still felt by members of the family to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisSherra: Where does the name Sherra come from?
Sherra is a relatively uncommon family name today, though it is still mentioned in various places around the world. It is thought to be of Irish origin and has been primarily found in the United States.
In the United States, the name Sherra is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. In fact, in Pennsylvania, Sherra was the 34th most common last name in 1990, according to the United States Census. Sherra was also the 122nd most common last name in Wisconsin in that same year.
In addition to its presence in the United States, Sherra can also be found in parts of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, and Australia. In the UK, Sherra is listed as one of the most common surnames in Northern Ireland, with over 300 people having the name in a recent survey.
Today, Sherra is still somewhat rarely found, making it a particularly unique last name for those who do have it as part of their identity.
Variations of the surname Sherra
The surname Sherra has two variants, the spelling and the surname.
The spelling variant of Sherra is Sharra. Sharra is a matronymic surname deriving from the given name Sharra, which is a variant of Sara, a biblical Hebrew name mentioned in the Bible, meaning “lady”.
The surname variants of Sherra include Sherrah, Sherrer, Sherre, and Sharr. All of these surnames have their roots in the name Sherra and the spelling variant Sharra.
Sherrah is a variant spelling of Sherra, deriving from the given name Sharra. It is an English surname, most common in the United States.
Sherrer is a variant spelling of Sherra, deriving from the given name Sharra. It is an Americanized surname that is most common in the United States.
Sherre is a variant spelling of Sherra, derived from the given name Sharra. It is a variant of Irish surname Sherry, and is most common in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Sharr is a variant of Sherra, deriving from the given name Sharra. It is an English surname most common in the United States.
In conclusion, Sherra is a matronymic surname deriving from the given name Sharra, which is a variant of Sara that has biblical origins. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sherra are Sharra, Sherrah, Sherrer, Sherre, and Sharr.
Famous people with the name Sherra
- Sherra Wright-Robinson: an American athlete and former wife of NBA player Lorenzen Wright.
- Ray Sherra: a professional basketball player who played for the Harlem Globetrotters in the 1950s.
- Toby Sherra: a former professional hockey player who won two Stanley Cup Championships with the Edmonton Oilers in 1986 and 1990.
- Zack Sherra: a former American football player who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Howard Sherra: a professional baseball player who played for the Kansas City Royals in 1967.
- Ronnie Sherra: a professional golfer and three time PGA Tour winner.
- Gil Sherra: a professional race car driver who won the NASCAR Winston Cup championship in 1994.
- Gershon Sherra: a doctor of law and member of the Utah Supreme Court.
- Cynthia O. Sherra: a former president of the National Association of Women Judges.
- Kiely Sherra: an American actress known for her appearances in films such as Akeelah and the Bee and Hannah Montana: The Movie.