Map of England showing where the Al Sharif arms are recorded
The Al Sharif arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Al Sharif arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Al Sharif Family in England
The name Al Sharif carries a deep history rooted in the Arabic language, where it serves as an honorific title meaning the noble or the exalted. Historically, this name was often used to identify individuals who could trace their lineage back to the family of the Prophet Muhammad. By the year 1620, records indicate that members of this family had established a presence in the city of York in England. During this period, the arrival of families with Middle Eastern origins in northern England was quite rare and suggests that these early settlers were likely involved in international trade or specialized scholarly pursuits. These individuals navigated a society that was vastly different from their ancestral lands, yet they maintained the identity associated with their name as they integrated into the local community. Over time, the family name became a bridge between their traditional heritage and their new life in the historic city of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sharif
Arabic term meaning noble, high-born, or descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
This name
Al SharifAn honorific title denoting a person of noble status or distinguished lineage.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (History of Prophets and Kings), 915
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Lewis, Bernard, The Arabs in History, 1950
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riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
