As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

A shearman, one who used to shear cloth. "Villain, thy father was a plasterer, and thou thyself a shearman." Stafford to Jack Cade. Shaks. Henry VI.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

SHERMAN. SHEREMAN. At Norwich, one who shears worsted, fustians, &c., an employment once known as ' shermancraft.' Eng. Surn. i. 108. The word has another distinct meaning. " Even at this day, in Norfolk, a person born out of tlie coimtyiscalleda Shireman, i.e., born in some one of the shires or counties of England." Archfcologia, xix, 16. But a more dignified origin may be assigned : in Domesdaybook the .Judge of the County-court (a very important office in Norman times) was

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

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