The Sharrock family name The English surname Sharrock, according the HRC is of local origin, being derived from the place where a man once lived or where once held land. The name is based on a place called Sharrock Green in Lancashire. This place name is derived from an old English term and signifies "split rock". Thus, the original bearer of the surname was one who lived at or near Sharrock Green.
The surname is recorded in English documents as early as 1332. Richard de Sharrocke is listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire while George Sharrocke was a resident of Preston. The prefix "de" means of or from and indicates it is a name of local origin. Notable bearers of the name include Robert Sharrock who was a 17th century dignitary of the church and a writer of morality. | Names of local origin were commonly used in medieval England. At this period no hereditary surname system had yet evolved. However, as the population increased and the numbers settling in towns and cities grew, there was a need for a more comprehensive form of appellation. Thus, a man was known by his former place of residence or his place of birth.The first Sharrock family in Australia On the 29th of March 1848, the ship "Mahomed Shah", sailed from Plymouth, England bound for the Port Phillip district in the colony of New South Wales. The "Mahomed Shah" was 615 or 750 tonnes. It was built in Moulamein of teak, copper fastened, with the hull being coppered to stop the growth of barnacles.
Amongst the passengers on the 98 day journey were Joseph Sharrock, aged 33, his wife Mary (nee Faulkner), aged 35 and their four children, John aged 13, James aged 10, Joseph aged 7 and Benjamin aged 5. Their only daughter. Elizabeth, was born on the 22nd of April 1848, during the voyage.
In 1858 Joseph sent to England to have his three brothers bought out. James & Sophia Sharrock, John & Elizabeth Sharrock and Michael & Mary Sharrock and their families, sailed from Liverpool on the 13th of March 1858 on the ship "The Rising Sun" and arrived in Melbourne on the llth of June 1858
The Sharrock families of Australia The WEB site is about them and for their descendants. It contains the stories of these four pioneering brothers and provides a list of their descendants. It includes Historic articles and photos currently focus on the period 1848 to 1935 and invitation to attend the Family Reunion in Penshurst over the labour day long weekend , 8th 9th and 10th of March 2008.
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