The name Sherwin is an English given name derived from the Old English words "scir," meaning "bright" or "shining," and "wine," meaning "friend." This combination suggests the name means "bright friend" or "shining friend." It is believed to have originated in the Anglo-Saxon period, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD, in what is now England.

While the name Sherwin does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it may have been used as a personal name during the Middle Ages in England. Some of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in historical records from the 16th and 17th centuries.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Sherwin was Sir William Sherwin (c. 1555-1637), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. Another notable figure was Edward Sherwin (c. 1570-1594), an English Catholic martyr who was executed for his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot.

In the 18th century, Sherwin Certon (c. 1710-1788) was a British architect and surveyor, known for his work on several churches and other buildings in London. Around the same time, Sherwin Vaughan (1726-1786) was an English engraver and portrait painter, recognized for his mezzotint engravings.

In the 19th century, Sherwin McIvor (1813-1887) was a Scottish-born American businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Newburgh, New York. Another notable individual was Sherwin Badger (1856-1930), an American businessman and inventor who co-founded the Sherwin-Williams Company, a leading manufacturer of paints and coatings.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the given name Sherwin, which has its roots in Old English and has been used predominantly in England and other English-speaking countries.