Map of Germany showing where the Shorrock arms are recorded
The Shorrock 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 Shorrock 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 Shorrock Family in Germany
The surname Shorrock is believed to have originated as a locative name, which means it was used to identify people based on the specific place where they lived. Historical evidence places members of the family in the city of Nuremberg by 1765, where they likely integrated into the bustling trade and craft culture of the region. During the eighteenth century, Nuremberg was a major hub for metalworking and clockmaking, and families like the Shorrocks often moved between European urban centers to pursue specialized work. While the name is often associated with Northern England, its presence in Germany suggests that the family was part of a mobile population of skilled laborers who traveled across borders to find new opportunities. By settling in such a significant commercial center, these early family members were likely involved in the professional guilds that defined the economic life of the city at that time.
Shorrock Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Schor
A steep slope, cliff, or rocky precipice.
This name
ShorrockA dweller near a steep bank or rocky outcrop.
also spelled
Schrok
Shreck
Shrock
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg, 1765
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
