Find out how popular the first name Sirrah has been for the last 1 years (from 2008 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sirrah by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Sirrah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sirrah.

The history of the first name Sirrah

Sirrah is an archaic English word derived from the Middle English "sire," which stems from the Old French "sieur," meaning "lord" or "master." This form of address was primarily used in medieval England and France when addressing a person of higher rank or authority.

The name's origins can be traced back to the 11th century, during the Norman conquest of England. The Normans, who spoke a dialect of Old French, brought many French words and expressions into the English language, including the term "sire" and its variations.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Sirrah can be found in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned English poet and author of the 14th century. In his famous work, "The Canterbury Tales," Chaucer used the term "sirrah" as a form of address, often in a reproachful or scolding manner.

Throughout history, the name Sirrah has been borne by several notable individuals, although its use as a given name has been relatively uncommon. One such person was Sirrah Esteban de Sandoval, a Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century.

Another figure bearing the name Sirrah was Sirrah Tench Coxe, an American political economist and businessman who lived from 1755 to 1824. He was a prominent advocate for American manufacturing and played a significant role in the early economic development of the United States.

In literature, the name Sirrah has been used as a character's name or form of address in various works. For instance, in William Shakespeare's play "Henry IV, Part 2," the character of the Lord Chief Justice addresses Prince Hal as "Sirrah" when scolding him for his misbehavior.

In the 19th century, Sirrah Neville Newall was a British army officer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Wigan from 1874 to 1880. Additionally, Sirrah Melville Hilton-Green was a British barrister and judge who lived from 1854 to 1935 and served as a judge in the High Court of Justice.

While the name Sirrah has fallen out of common usage as a given name, it remains a part of the English language's historical lexicon, serving as a reminder of the linguistic and cultural influence of the Norman conquest on the English language and society.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sirrah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sirrah, please contact us.

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