Surname Sherrod - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Sherrod Roots through DNA: Unfolding the Spectrum of Ancestral Insights

Never have I keenly anticipated the arrival of an email than that which contained my iGENEA DNA test results. My family's beloved tales of our Sherrod ancestors lay in the hands of advanced scientific research. The received findings vividly painted my lineage, validating some family stories and debunking others. Misty connections with ancient Anglo-Scottish and Celtic tribes have been unveiled, each thread shedding remarkable light on my family's heritage.

J. Sherrod

Sherrod: What does the surname Sherrod mean?

The last name Sherrod is of Old English origin and is primarily used in English-speaking countries. Originally a descriptive nickname, Sherrod derives from the Old English term "scir hrod" meaning "bright fame". This term was likely used to describe an individual who was highly well-known or respected in their community, notable for their accomplishments, personality, or position. Sometimes, the name may also refer to "clearing" or "bright clearing", pointing to a geographical feature characteristic of the bearer's place of origin. It's important to remember that last names evolved over centuries and their meanings and connotations can shift over time or vary in different regions.

Sherrod: Where does the name Sherrod come from?

The last name Sherrod is most common in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is the 3,618th most common last name in the country, making up 0.001% of the population in 2019.

The majority of people bearing the name Sherrod live in either Texas or North Carolina. In Texas, it is the 339th most common name, making up 0.0062% of the state's population. In North Carolina, it is the 172nd most common name, accounting for 0.013% of the state's population.

Sherrod is also relatively common in Alabama, where it is the 176th most common name, making up 0.011% of the state's population. It is also relatively common in Mississippi, where it is the 198th most common name, making up 0.0069% of the population.

Outside of the United States, the last name Sherrod is most common in Australia, where it is the 1,187th most common name or 0.0006% of the population. It is also relatively common in New Zealand, where it is the 531st most popular name, making up 0.0010% of the population.

Variations of the surname Sherrod

The surname Sherrod is believed to be of French origin, and has a number of variant spellings. Variations of this name include Sherard, Shered, Sherwood, Sherow, Sharrow, Sherer, Sherrid, Shearwood and Sherod.

In some cases, the Sherrod family may have derived its name from the place of origin. Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England could be one, while Shere, a parish in Surrey, England is another. Other places include Shearingham in Sussex, England or Surich in Switzerland.

In France, Sherrod was likely derived from the pre-medieval with either the choice of Cher or Chere meaning 'dear' or 'beloved', as well as from the Gallic word 'Cerdena' meaning 'happiness'.

It is also possible that the surname originated from various English nicknames when Sherrod is derived from the Old English scearu meaning 'bride price' or 'dowry'. Along these lines, it is also possible that it could be derived from the Old English 'scearh' meaning 'hawk' or 'dappled'.

Many times, the surname has gone through different transitions in spelling to become what it is today. Sherrod, initially spelled Sherarde, Shered, Sherryd, Sherer, Sheroid, Sherrid, Sherwood, Shearwood and even Sherow, have all gone through numerous changes to become the same name.

Overall, Sherrod is a strong, established and distinct surname of French origin with many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Sherrod

• Carol Sherrod: Carol is an American costume designer who has been involved in crafting costumes for some Oscar-nominated films such as Selma, The Butler and The Help.
• Brownie Sherrod: Brownie is a longtime sportswriter who has been covering college and professional sports for more than 50 years. He has written for Sports Illustrated, the Dallas Morning News and the Houston Chronicle.
• Julio Sherrod: Julio is a Grammy-nominated American singer, songwriter and producer who has written hits for many music artists, including Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Usher and P!nk.
• Boobie Sherrod: Boobie is a former American football running back who was an integral part of the 1974 Southwest Conference-winning team of Texas A&M and the 1975 Heisman Trophy runner-up.
• Dave Sherrod: Dave is a Grammy-nominated record producer and singer. He has worked with some big names in the music industry such as John Legend, Lauryn Hill and Earth, Wind & Fire.
• Tad Sherrod: Tad is a former offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was also selected to the AFC Pro Bowl in 1984.
• Lawrence Sherrod: Lawrence is an American orthopedic surgeon and the current team doctor of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• Clayton Sherrod: Clayton has more than 35 years of experience as an IT professional and is currently the Chief Information Officer of Hartford HealthCare.
• Nichole Sherrod: Nichole is an American model and actress who has starred in movies such as Hit List and Judgment Day.

Other surnames

SherraSherrardSherrerSherretSherrickSherrillSherrinSherringSherritSherrittSherronSherrowSherrwoodSherry