Map of England showing where the Shirar arms are recorded
The Shirar arms were recorded in Salop, c. 1620.
Shropshire lay on the Welsh border, and border country needed men who could fight. Families held their land in return for service, and service in arms is what a coat of arms was originally for.
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 Shirar 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 Salop.
Origin & History of the Shirar Family in England
The family name Shirar finds its early roots in the English county of Shropshire, historically known as Salop. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this region. During the seventeenth century, individuals in this area often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where their surnames were frequently tied to their specific trade or the unique geography of their local parish. The name likely evolved as a phonetic variation of regional descriptors used to identify families living near specific landmarks or working in common agricultural roles. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of Salop, contributing to the agricultural and communal life that defined the West Midlands during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Scir
Old English term meaning bright, clear, or pure.
This name
ShirarA topographical name for someone who lived near a bright or clear stream.
also spelled
Sherer
Sherratt
Sherrard
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Eyton, Robert W., Antiquities of Shropshire, 1854
Shropshire Archives, Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry: Parish registers for the county of Shropshire, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
