Find out how popular the last name Sherlin is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Sherlin.

Sherlin, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Sherlin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sherlin in America

Sherlin is the 37076th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sherlin surname appeared 602 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Sherlin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sherlin to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Sherlin

The surname SHERLIN has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "scylf," which meant "shelf" or "ledge." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a prominent geological feature or worked in an occupation related to shelves or ledges.

In the Domesday Book, a historic manuscript from 1086, there are records of individuals with the name "Shelfelinus" and "Shelfelin," which are likely early variations of the SHERLIN surname. These entries indicate that the name was present in various parts of England during the Norman Conquest.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SHERLIN surname is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a person named Ricardus Schelfeyn is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that time period.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Shelfeleng" and "Shelfeling," in records from counties like Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. These variants suggest the name's connection to specific places or regions within England.

A notable figure in history with the SHERLIN surname was Sir John Sherlin (1510-1572), a Member of Parliament and landowner from Wiston, Sussex. He played a significant role in the English Reformation and was known for his staunch Protestant beliefs.

Another individual of historical importance was William Sherlin (1640-1707), a renowned architect and surveyor who contributed to the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666. His work included designing several churches and public buildings in the city.

In the 18th century, the name SHERLIN can be found in birth records from the village of Nettleton, Lincolnshire, where a family with this surname had resided for generations. One notable member was Thomas Sherlin (1725-1801), a respected farmer and landowner in the area.

The SHERLIN surname also has a connection to the town of Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, where variations like "Sherburnian" and "Sherburnensis" were used to denote individuals from that location. This further illustrates the link between surnames and place names during that era.

Another prominent figure was Elizabeth Sherlin (1768-1842), an author and poet from Gloucestershire, whose works explored themes of nature and rural life. Her poetry collection, "Sonnets of the Seasons," published in 1820, garnered critical acclaim.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sherlin

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Sherlin.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Sherlin was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Sherlin has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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