This is a famous Norfolk surname, which derives originally from the town of the same name. It is found in several spelling versions including Sheringham and Sherringham, and the dialectals Sharringham and Shearingham. The origin is Olde English pre 7th century, the translation being tribal, 'the place (ham) of the Sherr (Scira) people (ing)'. The first known place name recording is in the 1086 Domesday Book for Norfolk, produced under the authorization of William the 1st, The Conqueror. In this book the spelling is 'Silingeham', whilst in the 1242 Book of Fees it is recorded as Scheringham. Locational surnames were usually given to people after they moved to another area, and since 'another area' may have been the next village, this can account for the popularity of this name within the county. Early examples of church recordings include Ales Sherringham who married John Beales, at East Lexham, on November 9th 1584, and Ann Sheringham, christened at St John de Sepulchre church, Norwich, on January 1st 1687. Phillip Sherringham was one of the earliest settlers in the New England colonies of America having (quote) 'imbarqued on the (ship) Globe of London, Jeremy Blackman, Master' on August 14th 1635', bound for Virginia. Another interesting recording is that of Robert Sherringham, a fellow of Caius College, Cambridge, who was, in 1644, ejected from his post by the victorious Parliamentarians in the Civil War, for refusing to give allegiance to them. He was 'restored' in 1660 on the similar restoration of King Charles 11. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margaret Sheryngham, which was dated February 19th 1573, who married at North Walsham, Norfolk, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st, known as 'Good Queen Bess', 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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