Map of Germany showing where the Sharrock arms are recorded
The Sharrock arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Sharrock arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Sharrock Family in Germany
The family name Sharrock likely originated as a descriptive label for individuals living near a prominent rock formation or a jagged cliffside. While the name is often associated with English roots, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Nuremberg by 1765. During the eighteenth century, Nuremberg served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship in the Holy Roman Empire. Families living there often integrated into the local guild systems or merchant classes to secure their livelihoods. The presence of the Sharrock name in this German city suggests that the family was part of the mobile population of skilled workers who traveled across Europe to seek new opportunities. By settling in such a significant urban center, these early ancestors likely adapted to the local culture while maintaining their distinct family identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schar
A sharp edge, a plowshare, or a boundary marker.
This name
SharrockDerived from a topographic feature or occupational term related to a plowshare or boundary edge.
also spelled
Schrok
Shreck
Shrock
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg (1765)
Recke, Walter, Die Geschichte der Stadt Nürnberg (1950)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
